Shloka 3
शोकाकुल-युधिष्ठिरं प्रति कुन्त्याः कालोचितोपदेशः | Kuntī’s Timely Counsel to the Grief-Stricken Yudhiṣṭhira
कुन्ती शोकपरीताजड्ी दुःखोपहतचेतना । अब्रवीन्मधुराभाषा काले वचनमर्थवत्
kuntī śokaparītā jaḍī duḥkhopahatacetanā | abravīn madhurābhāṣā kāle vacanam arthavat ||
वैशम्पायन बोले—कुन्ती शोक से घिरी हुई, मानो जड़-सी, दुःख से आहत चेतना वाली, मधुर वाणी में समयोचित और अर्थपूर्ण वचन बोलीं।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when grief overwhelms the mind, one should speak and act with kāla (timeliness) and artha (purpose). The verse highlights disciplined, meaningful counsel as a dharmic response to crisis rather than uncontrolled lamentation.
Vaiśampāyana describes Kuntī’s intense sorrow on seeing Yudhiṣṭhira’s distressed condition. Though benumbed by grief, she begins to speak gently and appropriately, preparing to offer significant guidance suited to the moment.