Shloka 226

धृतराष्ट्र-सत्कारः तथा श्राद्ध-दाने नियमनम् | Honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Regulating Śrāddha-Gifts

Devanagari script

आयूंषि पाण्डुपुत्राणामाशंसत नराधिप: । ब्राह्मणोंसे स्वस्तिवाचन कराकर अग्निमें हवन करनेके पश्चात्‌ राजा धृतराष्ट्र सदा यह शुभकामना करते थे कि पाण्डवोंकी आयु बढ़े

Transliteration

āyūṃṣi pāṇḍuputrāṇām āśaṃsata narādhipaḥ | brāhmaṇebhyaḥ svastivācanaṃ kārayitvā agnim̐ havanaṃ kṛtvā paścāt rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ sadā etāṃ śubhakāmanāṃ karoti sma—pāṇḍavānāṃ āyur vardhatām iti |

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, wishing for the long life of the sons of Pāṇḍu, had the brāhmaṇas pronounce auspicious benedictions and, after offering oblations into the sacred fire, continually formed this prayer in his heart: “May the Pāṇḍavas’ lifespan increase.” In this the aged king showed a turn toward dharma—seeking the welfare of those once opposed through proper rite and sincere goodwill.

Word by Word

• आयूंषि: lifespans, lives
• आयूंषि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस्
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• पाण्डुपुत्राणाम्: of the sons of Pāṇḍu (the Pāṇḍavas)
• पाण्डुपुत्राणाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डुपुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• आशंसत: wished, prayed for
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-शंस्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• नराधिपः: the king (lord of men)
• नराधिपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नराधिप
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Pāṇḍuputras (Pāṇḍavas)
• Brāhmaṇas
• Agni (sacred fire)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even after conflict and loss, dharma can be reaffirmed through goodwill toward former rivals. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s repeated benediction for the Pāṇḍavas’ long life models ethical reconciliation—turning from resentment to welfare-wishing, supported by disciplined ritual and intention.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Dhṛtarāṣṭra regularly arranges brāhmaṇas to recite auspicious blessings and performs fire-offerings (homa). After these rites, he continually expresses the wish that the Pāṇḍavas’ lifespan may increase.