Shloka 10
Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
श्रुत्वा तु कुन्ती तद्घाक्यमर्थकामेन भाषितम् | सा निः:श्वसन्ती दुःखार्ता मनसा विममर्श ह
śrutvā tu kuntī tad vākyam arthakāmena bhāṣitam | sā niḥśvasantī duḥkhārtā manasā vimamarśa ha ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Hearing those words—spoken with a view to both practical advantage and rightful purpose—Kuntī was overwhelmed by sorrow. Sighing deeply, she began to reflect within her mind, weighing what ought to be done amid the competing claims of welfare, duty, and the looming conflict.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation under distress: wise action in a crisis begins with attentive listening and inward reflection, especially when counsel is framed around practical welfare (artha) and intended aims (kāma) that must still be weighed against dharma.
After hearing a significant statement (contextually, counsel meant for the good of both sides), Kuntī is struck by grief. She sighs and turns inward, beginning a serious mental deliberation about the difficult situation and the choices ahead.