Shloka 32
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
तत्राहमिदमश्रौषं शक्रस्य वदत: स्वयम् | वर्षाणि त्रीणि शिष्टानि राज्ञोडस्य परमायुष:
tatrāham idam aśrauṣaṃ śakrasya vadataḥ svayam | varṣāṇi trīṇi śiṣṭāni rājño ’sya paramāyuṣaḥ ||
Là même, je l’entendis de mes propres oreilles, de la bouche de Śakra lorsqu’il parlait : « Il ne reste plus que trois années du terme ultime de la vie de ce roi. » Cette parole souligne la proximité de la mort et l’urgence d’accomplir ses devoirs et de purifier son être intérieur sans délai.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Life’s limit is fixed and can be near; therefore one should not postpone dharma, reconciliation, and inner discipline. The verse frames mortality as an ethical spur toward timely renunciation and spiritual readiness.
Nārada reports information he personally heard from Indra: Dhṛtarāṣṭra has only three years left in his allotted lifespan. This functions as a prophetic notice within the Āśramavāsika narrative, emphasizing the approaching end of the old king’s life.