Shloka 19
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
न चोच्छेदं कुलं यायाद् विस्तीर्येच्च कथं यश: । तस्याहमीप्सितं बुद्ध्वा कालीं मातरमावहम्
na cocchedaṃ kulaṃ yāyād vistīryec ca kathaṃ yaśaḥ | tasyāham īpsitaṃ buddhvā kālīṃ mātaram āvaham |
« Que cette lignée ne soit pas tranchée, et que sa renommée s’étende sans cesse. » Sachant que tel était le désir le plus profond de son cœur, j’amenai ici la Mère Kālī (Satyavatī). Pour le bien de la dynastie et afin de réjouir mon père, je pris le vœu difficile de ne pas régner et de demeurer ūrdhvaretaḥ, chaste et strict pour toute la vie. Tout cela t’est bien connu. Gardant ce vœu, je demeure ici, toujours, paisible et inébranlable.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as self-restraint and sacrifice for a higher good: preserving the dynasty and honoring a father’s wish, even at great personal cost through a binding vow.
The speaker recalls understanding his father’s inner desire that the lineage not end and its fame grow; therefore he brought Kālī (Satyavatī) and undertook a severe vow—renouncing kingship and maintaining lifelong celibacy—continuing to live contentedly while upholding that pledge.