Shloka 206
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
युधिष्ठिरस्य जननी कुन्ती साधुव्रते स्थिता । गान्धारीके निकट ही उत्तम व्रतमें स्थित हुई युधिष्ठिरकी माता कुन्ती भी कुशासनपर सोयीं और उसीमें उन्होंने सुख माना
yudhiṣṭhirasya jananī kuntī sādhuvrate sthitā | gāndhārīke nikaṭa hi uttama-vrate sthitā bhūtvā yudhiṣṭhirasya mātā kuntī api kuśāsane śayānā tatraiva sukham amanyata |
Vaiśampāyana dit : Kuntī, la mère de Yudhiṣṭhira, demeurant ferme dans un vœu vertueux, resta près de Gāndhārī. Ayant embrassé une discipline d’austérité excellente, Kuntī aussi s’étendit sur une natte d’herbe kuśa, et dans cette rudesse même elle trouva le contentement.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic renunciation: true contentment can be cultivated through disciplined vows and simplicity. Kuntī models ethical strength by accepting austerity willingly and finding inner peace in hardship rather than comfort.
During the forest-retirement phase, Kuntī stays near Gāndhārī and adopts ascetic practices. She sleeps on a kuśa-grass mat and regards that austere arrangement as sufficient and even सुख (contentment), showing her commitment to the shared life of restraint.