Shloka 4
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
के देशा: परिदृष्टास्ते कि च कार्य करोमि ते । तद् ब्रूहि द्विजमुख्य त्वं त्वं हुस्माकं परा गति:,“विप्रवर! इस समय आपने किन-किन देशोंका निरीक्षण किया है? बताइये मैं आपकी क्या सेवा करूँ? क्योंकि आप हमलोगोंकी परम गति हैं'
ke deśāḥ paridṛṣṭās te ki ca kāryaṃ karomi te | tad brūhi dvijamukhya tvaṃ tvaṃ hy asmākaṃ parā gatiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Which regions have you surveyed, and what service may I render to you? Tell me, O foremost of the twice-born; for you are indeed our highest refuge and guiding end.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic humility and the ethic of service: one should seek guidance from the truly learned and treat them as a ‘supreme refuge’ for right conduct, asking how best to assist and follow their counsel.
The speaker respectfully addresses a leading brahmin/sage, inquiring which lands he has inspected and offering to carry out any task for him, acknowledging the sage as the highest guide and support for their course of action.