Shloka 8
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 141: Bhīma–Hiḍimba Confrontation and Protective Discourse
तच्छुत्वा व्यथिता कुन्ती पुत्रै: सह यशस्विनी । नावमारुहा गड़ायां प्रययौ भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ यह बात सुनकर यशस्विनी कुन्तीको बड़ी व्यथा हुई। वे पुत्रोंसहित (वारणावतके लाक्षागृहसे बचकर) नावपर जा चढ़ीं और गंगाजीकी धारापर यात्रा करने लगीं
tac chrutvā vyathitā kuntī putraiḥ saha yaśasvinī | nāvam āruhya gaṅgāyāṃ prayayau bharatarṣabha ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Al oír aquello, la ilustre Kuntī quedó hondamente afligida. Tomando consigo a sus hijos, subió a una barca y partió siguiendo la corriente del Gaṅgā: una huida apremiante para preservar la vida y sostener su dharma como protectora de ellos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as protective responsibility: Kuntī’s immediate action to safeguard her sons shows that preserving innocent life and fulfilling one’s duty as guardian can require swift, practical decisions in times of danger.
After hearing alarming news, Kuntī becomes distressed and, with her sons, boards a boat and travels along the Gaṅgā—part of their urgent movement away from threat following their escape from peril.