Shloka 20
धृतराष्ट्रस्य स्पर्शाभिलाषः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Request for Touch and Permission for Tapas
एवं त्वया कुरुश्रेष्ठ वर्तितव्यं प्रजाहितम् । उभयोर्लोकयोस्तात प्राप्तये नित्यमेव हि
evaṁ tvayā kuruśreṣṭha vartitavyaṁ prajāhitam | ubhayor lokayos tāta prāptaye nityam eva hi ||
हे कुरुश्रेष्ठ, तुम्हें इसी प्रकार प्रजाहित में आचरण करना चाहिए; क्योंकि, तात, प्रजा के कल्याण में निरन्तर लगे रहने से ही इहलोक और परलोक—दोनों में कल्याण प्राप्त होता है।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or leader should remain steadily engaged in actions that benefit the people; such public-spirited conduct is presented as the means to secure good in both this life and the next.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses a Kuru leader with counsel, urging sustained commitment to the welfare of the subjects as the proper standard of conduct and as a path to auspicious results in both worlds.