Shloka 2
Āśramāgamanam — The Pāṇḍavas Arrive at Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Hermitage
धृतराष्ट्रस्तु धर्मात्मा पाण्डवै: सहितस्तदा । शुचिरेकमना सार्धमृषिभिस्तैरुपाविशत्
dhṛtarāṣṭras tu dharmātmā pāṇḍavaiḥ sahitas tadā | śucir ekamanā sārdham ṛṣibhis tair upāviśat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Dhṛtarāṣṭra, righteous at heart, accompanied by the Pāṇḍavas, sat down together with those sages—purified in body and mind, and with his attention gathered into single-pointed composure. The scene underscores a turn from royal power to disciplined restraint and dharmic reflection in the forest life.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic inwardness: even a former king like Dhṛtarāṣṭra is portrayed as cultivating purity (śuci) and single-pointed composure (ekamanā) in the company of sages, suggesting that ethical renewal and self-restraint are central to the forest stage of life.
In the Āśramavāsika setting, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by the Pāṇḍavas, sits down with the assembled ṛṣis. The action marks a formal, respectful participation in ascetic/ritual or counsel-oriented proceedings, emphasizing a shift from courtly life to contemplative forest discipline.