Shloka 13
Kuntī’s Retrospective Uddharṣaṇa and Renunciatory Resolve (कुन्त्युद्धर्षण-प्रत्याख्यानम्)
राजा तान् स्वरयोगेन स्पर्शन च महामना: | प्रत्यभिज्ञाय मेधावी समाश्वासयत प्रभु:,महामना बुद्धिमान् राजा धृतराष्ट्रने बोलनेके स्वरसे और स्पर्शसे पाण्डवोंको पहचानकर उन सबको आश्वासन दिया
rājā tān svarayogena sparśena ca mahāmanāḥ | pratyabhijñāya medhāvī samāśvāsayat prabhuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The great-souled king, discerning and authoritative, recognized the Pāṇḍavas by the familiar tone of their voices and by touch; having thus identified them, he reassured them. The scene shows how, even amid loss and withdrawal, kinship is affirmed through intimate signs, and the king responds with steadiness and consolation rather than suspicion or harshness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in decline and sorrow, dharmic conduct expresses itself as reassurance and steadiness toward one’s kin; true authority is shown by calming others and acknowledging relationship through empathy and recognition.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, unable to rely on sight, identifies the arriving Pāṇḍavas by their voices and by touch, and then consoles them, establishing a moment of familial recognition and emotional settling.