Shloka 9
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
इत्युक्ता सौबलेयी तु राज्ञा कुन्तीमुवाच ह | तत् सर्व राजवचनं स्वं च वाक्यं विशेषवत्
ity uktā saubaleyī tu rājñā kuntīm uvāca ha | tat sarva rājavacanaṃ svaṃ ca vākyaṃ viśeṣavat ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ainsi interpellée par le roi, Saubaleyī (Gāndhārī) s’adressa à Kuntī au nom du souverain. Elle lui rapporta en entier la parole royale et y ajouta ses propres mots, insistant avec une force particulière pour presser Kuntī de revenir.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as attentive responsiveness to rightful authority and counsel: an elder’s directive is conveyed faithfully, and persuasion is applied to guide another toward what is perceived as proper conduct—especially in a phase of life oriented toward withdrawal, restraint, and collective responsibility.
After being addressed, Gāndhārī (Saubaleyī) speaks to Kuntī, relaying Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s message in full and adding her own emphatic appeal, urging Kuntī to comply—specifically, to return, aligning herself with the king’s decision and the elders’ course.