Shloka 17
Nārada’s Exempla of Tapas and Assurance to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (नारदोपदेशः—तपःसिद्ध्युदाहरणम्)
मातरं चाविदूरस्थां शिष्यवत् प्रणतां स्थिताम् । कुन्तीं ददर्श धर्मात्मा शिष्टाचारसमन्विताम्,वहाँ आकर उन्होंने देखा कि राजा धृतराष्ट्र नित्य कर्म करके गान्धारीके साथ शान्त भावसे बैठे हुए हैं और उनसे थोड़ी ही दूरपर शिष्टाचारका पालन करनेवाली माता कुन्ती शिष्याकी भाँति विनीत भावसे खड़ी है
mātaraṃ cāvidūrasthāṃ śiṣyavat praṇatāṃ sthitām | kuntīṃ dadarśa dharmātmā śiṣṭācārasamanvitām ||
Then the righteous-souled one saw his mother Kuntī standing not far away—bowed down like a disciple, composed and humble, embodying the discipline of proper conduct. Nearby, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, having completed his daily rites, sat calmly with Gāndhārī.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights śiṣṭācāra (cultured, ethical conduct) expressed through humility and reverence: even a royal mother like Kuntī stands with the modesty of a disciple, showing that dharma is upheld through disciplined behavior toward elders and in solemn circumstances.
In the forest-ascetic setting of the Āśramavāsika episode, the narrator describes the scene: Dhṛtarāṣṭra has finished his daily observances and sits peacefully with Gāndhārī, while Kuntī stands nearby in a respectful, bowed posture; the dharmic observer (contextually, a principal figure arriving there) notices her demeanor.