Shloka 17
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
अब राजाका कोई निश्चित स्थान नहीं रह गया। वे वनमें सब ओर विचरते रहते थे। गान्धारी और कुन्ती ये दोनों देवियाँ साथ रहकर राजाके पीछे-पीछे लगी रहती थीं। संजय भी उन्हींका अनुसरण करते थे ।। संजयो नृपतेर्नेता समेषु विषमेषु च । गान्धार्याश्व पृथा चैव चक्षुरासीदनिन्दिता,ऊँची-नीची भूमि आ जानेपर संजय ही राजा धृतराष्ट्रको चलाते थे और अनिन्दिता सती-साध्वी कुन्ती गान्धारीके लिये नेत्र बनी हुई थीं
sañjayo nṛpater netā sameṣu viṣameṣu ca | gāndhāryāś ca pṛthā caiva cakṣur āsīd aninditā ||
Nārada said: Sañjaya served as the guide of the king, leading him alike on level ground and on uneven paths. And for Gāndhārī, Pṛthā (Kuntī)—the blameless, virtuous lady—became as eyes. Thus, in their forest life, the blind Dhṛtarāṣṭra was supported in movement by Sañjaya, while the blindfolded Gāndhārī was supported in sight by Kuntī—an image of mutual service, restraint, and dharma after the ruin of war.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as humble service and mutual support: Sañjaya compensates for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s blindness by guiding his steps, and Kuntī compensates for Gāndhārī’s self-imposed blindness by becoming her ‘eyes’. After the devastation of war, righteousness is shown not through power but through care, restraint, and companionship in hardship.
During the forest-dwelling phase (āśramavāsa), Dhṛtarāṣṭra wanders without a fixed abode. Sañjaya leads him safely over both smooth and rough ground. Gāndhārī and Kuntī remain together, and Kuntī assists Gāndhārī by acting as her eyesight, enabling her to move and function despite her blindfold.