Shloka 16
यदिदानीमहं ब्रूयामस्मिन् काल उपस्थिते,पालयामास नस्तातो विदितार्थो न संशय: । धृतराष्ट्र बोले--सज्जनो! महाराज शान्तनुने इस पृथ्वीका यथावत््रूपसे पालन किया था। उसके बाद भीषद्वारा सुरक्षित हमारे तत्त्वज्ञ पिता विचित्रवीर्यने इस भूमण्डलकी रक्षा की; इसमें संशय नहीं है यदन्येन मदीयेन तदनुज्ञातुमर्ह थ । मेरे पुत्रोंने तथा मुझसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाले और किसीने आपलोगोंका जो कुछ भी अपराध किया हो, उसके लिये मुझे क्षमा करें और जानेकी आज्ञा दें ।। भवद्धिर्न हि मे मन्यु: कृतपूर्व: कथंचन
yad idānīm ahaṃ brūyām asmin kāla upasthite, pālayāmāsa nas tāto viditārtho na saṃśayaḥ | yad anyena madīyena tad anujñātum arha tha | me putraiś ca mayā sambandha-vatā anyena vā yuṣmākaṃ yat kiṃcid aparādhaṃ kṛtaṃ syāt, tat kṣamasva, gantum anujānīta || bhavadbhir na hi me manyuḥ kṛtapūrvaḥ kathaṃcana |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Now, at this time that has come upon us, I must speak. Our forefather, King Śāntanu, ruled this earth in the proper way—of this there is no doubt. After him, our father Vicitravīrya, protected by Bhīṣma, safeguarded this realm; there is no uncertainty in this. If any other person connected with me should also be granted leave, please permit it. Whatever offence my sons, or I, or anyone related to me may have committed against you—please forgive it, and grant us permission to depart. For from you there has never been any anger shown toward me at any time.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds ethical closure: acknowledging rightful kingship and duty (proper protection of the realm) while also seeking forgiveness for harms caused by oneself and one’s kin. It models humility, accountability, and the dharmic value of reconciliation before withdrawal or departure.
In the Āśramavāsika context, Dhṛtarāṣṭra (as reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana) speaks to the assembled elders/people, recalling the righteous rule of Śāntanu and the protection of Vicitravīrya under Bhīṣma, then asks that any offences by him or his sons be forgiven and requests permission to depart—signaling a transition toward leaving worldly life.