Shloka 22
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
तथाविधानामेष लोको महर्षे परं गन्ता धृतराष्ट्रो न तत्र । यद् विद्यते विदितं स्थानमस्ति तद् ब्रूहि त्वं त्वरितो होष यामि
tathāvidhānām eṣa loko maharṣe paraṃ gantā dhṛtarāṣṭro na tatra | yad vidyate viditaṃ sthānam asti tad brūhi tvaṃ tvarito hoṣa yāmi ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra sprach: „O großer Weiser, diese Welt ist für Menschen solcher Art bestimmt; Dhṛtarāṣṭra wird jenen höchsten Zustand nicht erlangen. Wenn es eine bekannte Wohnstatt gibt—ein anerkanntes Ziel für mich—so sage es mir unverzüglich; ich wünsche ohne Verzug aufzubrechen.“
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores moral causality: higher realms are attained by those with the requisite virtues and conduct, while one who recognizes his own shortcomings seeks guidance toward whatever rightful destination remains. It highlights accountability and the urgency of turning toward dharmic counsel.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to a great sage, expresses despair that he will not reach the supreme state reserved for the truly virtuous. He urgently asks the sage to tell him what known ‘abode’ or course is available to him, indicating a desire to depart promptly—both in the sense of taking immediate action and in facing his end with guidance.