धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो<स्य पाणिना राजन् जलशीतेन पाण्डव: । उरो मुखं च शनकै: पर्यमार्जत धर्मवित्
vaiśampāyana uvāca tato 'sya pāṇinā rājan jalaśītena pāṇḍavaḥ | uro mukhaṃ ca śanakaiḥ paryamārjat dharmavit ||
वैशम्पायन बोले—राजन्! तब धर्मज्ञ पाण्डव ने जल से शीतल किए हुए अपने हाथ से धीरे-धीरे उसके (धृतराष्ट्र के) वक्ष और मुख को पोंछा।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Dharma is shown not only in judgment but in compassionate conduct: Yudhiṣṭhira, called dharmavit, performs gentle personal service to an elder (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), modeling restraint, forgiveness, and reverence despite painful history.
After the preceding exchange, Yudhiṣṭhira uses his water-cooled hand to slowly wipe Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s chest and face—an intimate act of care that signals consolation and respectful attendance in the forest-dwelling context of the Āśramavāsika events.