Shloka 49
अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal
इत्युक्तवत्यां गान्धार्या कुन्ती व्रतकृशानना
ity uktavatyāṃ gāndhāryā kuntī vratakṛśānanā
When Gandhārī had spoken thus, Kuntī—her face grown lean from austerities—(responded/was present), as grief was tempered by disciplined restraint and the weight of past deeds was borne in silence and vow.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of bearing suffering with disciplined restraint: after Gandhārī’s words, Kuntī is characterized not by argument or power but by austerity (vrata) that has physically transformed her, suggesting inner resolve and acceptance of karmic and dharmic consequences.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a transition: Gandhārī has just finished speaking, and attention shifts to Kuntī, described as emaciated from vows and ascetic practice—setting up Kuntī’s reaction within the forest-ascetic context of the Ashramavāsika episode.