Shloka 19
कुन्तीनिवर्तनप्रयत्नः तथा वननिवासप्रारम्भः
Attempt to Dissuade Kuntī; Commencement of Forest Residence
योधेषु वाप्याश्रममण्डलं त॑ मुक्त्वा निविष्टेषु विमुच्य पत्रम् । स्त्रीवृद्धबाले च सुसंनिविष्टे यथा्हतस्तान् कुशलान्यपृच्छत्
yodheṣu vāpy āśrama-maṇḍalaṁ taṁ muktvā niviṣṭeṣu vimucya patram | strī-vṛddha-bāle ca su-saṁniviṣṭe yathāhatas tān kuśalāny apṛcchat |
Vaiśampāyana said: When the warriors had left the boundary of that hermitage-enclosure and, having halted at a distance, unyoked their vehicles, and when the women, the aged, and the children had settled comfortably in the camp, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra met the Pāṇḍavas and inquired after their welfare—asking, as is proper, whether all was well with them.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after conflict, dharma expresses itself through restraint and civility: ensuring the vulnerable are safely settled and then exchanging proper inquiries of welfare (kuśala-praśna) as a mark of respect and social order.
The Pāṇḍavas’ forces stop outside the hermitage boundary, unyoke their conveyances, and make camp; women, elders, and children rest comfortably. Dhṛtarāṣṭra then meets the Pāṇḍavas and asks about their well-being.