Shloka 11
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
गान्धार्या सहितो धीमान् वध्वा कुन्त्या समन्वित: । संजयेन च सूतेन साग्निहोत्र: सयाजक:
nārada uvāca | gāndhāryā sahito dhīmān vadhvā kuntyā samanvitaḥ | sañjayena ca sūtena sāgnihotraḥ sayājakaḥ | kurukula-ko ānandita-karaṇevāle nareśa! yadā yūyaṁ vanāt pratyāgatās tadā tava dhīmān tātā rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro gāndhārī-kuntyā saha sūta-sañjayena agnihotra-purohitābhyāṁ ca kurukṣetrāt gaḍādvāraṁ (haridvāram) jagāma ||
Nārada dit : «Ô roi qui fais la joie de la lignée des Kuru ! Lorsque vous fûtes revenus de la forêt, ton sage oncle, le roi Dhṛtarāṣṭra—accompagné de Gāndhārī, de sa belle-fille Kuntī, du cocher Sañjaya, et assisté du saint Agnihotra ainsi que du prêtre officiant—quitta Kurukṣetra pour Gaṅgādvāra (Haridwar).»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
After the devastation of war, dharma often expresses itself as withdrawal from power, renewed ritual discipline, and a turn toward sacred places. The elders’ journey signals ethical reorientation: accepting consequences, seeking inner purification, and preparing for the final stage of life.
Narada informs the king that, once the younger generation returned from the forest, Dhritarashtra left with Gandhari, Kunti, and Sanjaya, along with the sacred fire observance and priestly support, traveling from Kurukshetra to Gadadvara (Haridwar) to live a more ascetic, pilgrimage-oriented life.