Shloka 196
धृतराष्ट्र-सत्कारः तथा श्राद्ध-दाने नियमनम् | Honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Regulating Śrāddha-Gifts
पूजयित्वा वचस्तत् तदकार्षीत् परवीरहा । महाराज! राजा धृतराष्ट्र और तपस्विनी गान्धारी देवी ये दोनों जो कोई भी छोटा या बड़ा कार्य करनेके लिये कहते
pūjayitvā vacas tat tadakārṣīt paravīrahā |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having honored their words, the slayer of enemy-heroes carried out each instruction. O great king, whatever small or great task King Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the ascetic lady Gāndhārī asked to be done, Yudhiṣṭhira—foremost among the Pāṇḍavas and subduer of foes—received their command with reverence, as if placing it upon his head, and completed it in full. The passage underscores his dharmic humility: authority is tempered by service, and victory is followed by respectful care for elders.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma after conflict is shown through humility and service: Yudhiṣṭhira treats the elders’ words as authoritative, honoring them and completing even minor tasks with care, demonstrating that power should be guided by reverence, restraint, and responsibility.
In the Āśramavāsika context, Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī are living in an ascetic mode; Yudhiṣṭhira, though king, attends to their requests. The verse describes his consistent practice of respectfully accepting and fulfilling whatever duties they assign.