Shloka 2
Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
श्रीशुक उवाच स गत्वा हास्तिनपुरं पौरवेन्द्रयशोऽङ्कितम् । ददर्श तत्राम्बिकेयं सभीष्मं विदुरं पृथाम् ॥ १ ॥ सहपुत्रं च बाह्लीकं भारद्वाजं सगौतमम् । कर्णं सुयोधनं द्रौणिं पाण्डवान् सुहृदोऽपरान् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca sa gatvā hāstinapuraṁ pauravendra-yaśo-’ṅkitam dadarśa tatrāmbikeyaṁ sa-bhīṣmaṁ viduraṁ pṛthām
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Akrūra went to Hastināpura, the city distinguished by the glory of the Paurava kings. There he saw Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhīṣma, Vidura and Pṛthā (Kuntī), along with Bāhlika and his son Somadatta. He also saw Droṇācārya, Kṛpācārya, Karṇa, Suyodhana, Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā), the Pāṇḍavas and other close friends.
FAQs
‘Ambikeya’ refers to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā, whom the visitor sees in Hastināpura along with other Kuru elders.
This verse situates the Bhagavatam’s Krishna-centered narrative within the historical Kuru court, showing who was present in Hastināpura at that time and linking Krishna’s pastimes with the Mahābhārata setting.
It reminds us that spiritual history is lived among real people and relationships—so one should seek dharma and devotion even within complex family, social, and political environments.