Shloka 39
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
तत्राहं वायुभक्षो वा निराहारो5पि वा वसन् । पत्न्या सहानया वीर चरिष्यामि तप: परम्,“वीर! वहाँ मैं वायु पीकर अथवा उपवास करके रहूँगा तथा अपनी इस धर्मपत्नीके साथ उत्तम तपस्या करूँगा
tatrāhaṃ vāyubhakṣo vā nirāhāro 'pi vā vasan | patnyā sahānayā vīra cariṣyāmi tapaḥ param ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “There, O hero, I shall live either by subsisting on air or even by complete fasting; and together with this faithful wife of mine, I will undertake the highest austerity.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights late-life dharma through renunciation: turning away from royal comfort toward disciplined austerity (tapas) and restraint, suggesting moral purification and detachment after the devastations of war and loss.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra declares his resolve to live in the forest with Gāndhārī, adopting severe ascetic practices—either living on air or fasting—signaling a decisive shift from kingship and household life to rigorous spiritual discipline.