Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
श्रीशुक उवाच स गत्वा हास्तिनपुरं पौरवेन्द्रयशोऽङ्कितम् । ददर्श तत्राम्बिकेयं सभीष्मं विदुरं पृथाम् ॥ १ ॥ सहपुत्रं च बाह्लीकं भारद्वाजं सगौतमम् । कर्णं सुयोधनं द्रौणिं पाण्डवान् सुहृदोऽपरान् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca sa gatvā hāstinapuraṁ pauravendra-yaśo-’ṅkitam dadarśa tatrāmbikeyaṁ sa-bhīṣmaṁ viduraṁ pṛthām
Śukadeva berkata: Akrūra pergi ke Hastināpura, kota yang termasyhur oleh kemuliaan para raja Paurava. Di sana ia melihat Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhīṣma, Vidura, dan Pṛthā (Kuntī), juga Bāhlika beserta putranya Somadatta. Ia pun melihat Droṇācārya, Kṛpācārya, Karṇa, Suyodhana, Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā), para Pāṇḍava, dan sahabat-sahabat dekat lainnya.
Āmbikeya refers to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, called so because he is the son of Ambikā.
The verse situates the narrative in the Kuru royal assembly at Hastināpura, indicating the presence of key elders and devotees connected to the Mahābhārata line.
It highlights the importance of saintly and wise association—seeking guidance from principled elders and devotees when navigating complex family or social duty.