Shloka 9
धृतराष्ट्राश्रमगमनम् — The Pandavas’ Procession to Dhritarashtra’s Hermitage
पाण्डुंं मरुदगणाद् विद्धि विशिष्टतममच्युतम् । धर्मस्यांशो5भवत् क्षत्ता राजा चैव युधिष्ठिर:
pāṇḍuṁ marudagaṇād viddhi viśiṣṭatamam acyutam | dharmasyāṁśo 'bhavat kṣattā rājā caiva yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Vyāsa said: “Know Pāṇḍu to be the most eminent among the hosts of the Maruts, unfailing in prowess. Vidura (the kṣattā) was a portion of Dharma, and so too was King Yudhiṣṭhira.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames key figures as manifestations of divine principles: Pāṇḍu is linked with the Maruts’ excellence, while Vidura and Yudhiṣṭhira are explicitly tied to Dharma. Ethically, it reinforces that true authority and counsel are grounded in righteousness, not merely power.
Vyāsa is explaining the divine origins and inner nature of major characters. By identifying Pāṇḍu with the Maruts and declaring Vidura and Yudhiṣṭhira as portions of Dharma, he interprets their conduct and fate within a providential, moral framework.