Shloka 1
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर वहाँ राजा धृतराष्ट्रसे मिलनेके लिये नारद
vaiśampāyana uvāca— janamejaya! tad-anantaraṁ tatra rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ draṣṭuṁ nāradaḥ parvataḥ mahātapā devalaḥ śiṣyaiḥ saha maharṣiḥ vyāsaś ca anye ca siddhāḥ manīṣiṇaḥ śreṣṭhā munayaḥ samāyayuḥ; teṣāṁ saha paramadharmātmā vṛddhaḥ rājarṣiḥ śatayūpaḥ api upāgamat.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, thereafter many revered visitors arrived there to meet King Dhṛtarāṣṭra—Nārada, Parvata, the great ascetic Devala, the sage Vyāsa accompanied by his disciples, and other accomplished siddhas, wise seers, and foremost sages. Along with them also came the aged royal sage Śatayūpa, renowned for his supreme righteousness.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic authority: when a ruler enters a phase of withdrawal and moral reckoning, the presence of sages and perfected beings signifies that ethical guidance, austerity, and truth-oriented counsel are essential supports for right living—especially after political catastrophe.
After earlier events, a gathering of eminent sages and accomplished beings arrives to meet Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Nārada, Parvata, Devala, Vyāsa with disciples, and others come together, and the aged, highly righteous royal sage Śatayūpa also arrives with them.