Shloka 39
Vyāsa’s Inquiry into Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Tapas and the Identification of Vidura with Dharma
पादशुश्रूषणे रक्तो राज्ञो मात्रोस्तथानयो: । “भरतश्रेष्ठ! मुझमें माताजीको छोड़कर जानेका साहस नहीं है। प्रभो! आप शीघ्र लौट जायाँ। मैं यहीं रहकर तपस्या करूँगा और तपके द्वारा अपने शरीरको सुखा डालूगा। मैं यहाँ महाराज और इन दोनों माताओंके चरणोंकी सेवामें ही अनुरक्त रहना चाहता हूँ” ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
pādaśuśrūṣaṇe rakto rājño mātrostathānayoḥ |
"bharataśreṣṭha! mayi mātaraṃ parityajya gantum na śaktir asti | prabho! tvaṃ śīghraṃ nivartasva | aham ihaiva tapasā carāmi, tapasā ca śarīraṃ śoṣayiṣyāmi | aham iha mahārājasya cānayoś ca mātroḥ pādasevāyām eva anurakto bhavitum icchāmi" ||
tam uvāca tataḥ kuntī pariṣvajya mahābhujam |
"vatsa! māivam avada | mama vacanaṃ śṛṇu, gaccha putra | tava panthānaḥ kalyāṇakārī bhavantu, tvaṃ ca sadā svastho bhava" ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Devoted to serving at the feet of the king and of the two mothers, he spoke: “Best of the Bharatas, I do not have the courage to leave Mother behind. Lord, return quickly. I will remain here and practice austerity, and by austerity I will dry up this body. I wish to stay here, attached only to serving the feet of the great king and these two mothers.” Hearing this, Kuntī embraced the mighty-armed Sahadeva to her breast and said: “My child, do not speak so. Obey my words and go, son. May your paths be auspicious, and may you always remain safe and in good health.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as humble service to elders and parents, yet also the ethical necessity of heeding a mother’s instruction. Devotion and ascetic zeal are praised, but not when they become self-destructive or disregard rightful guidance.
Sahadeva declares he cannot leave the king and the two mothers and wishes to remain in the forest to serve them and undertake austerities even unto bodily emaciation. Kuntī, moved, embraces him and urges him not to speak thus, instructing him to depart and blessing his journey and health.