Shloka 22
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
तथाविधानामेष लोको महर्षे परं गन्ता धृतराष्ट्रो न तत्र । यद् विद्यते विदितं स्थानमस्ति तद् ब्रूहि त्वं त्वरितो होष यामि
tathāvidhānām eṣa loko maharṣe paraṃ gantā dhṛtarāṣṭro na tatra | yad vidyate viditaṃ sthānam asti tad brūhi tvaṃ tvarito hoṣa yāmi ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Wahai maharsi, dunia seperti itu diperuntukkan bagi orang-orang semacam mereka; Dhṛtarāṣṭra tidak akan mencapai keadaan tertinggi itu. Jika ada suatu tempat yang dikenal—suatu tujuan yang diakui bagiku—katakanlah segera; aku ingin berangkat tanpa menunda.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores moral causality: higher realms are attained by those with the requisite virtues and conduct, while one who recognizes his own shortcomings seeks guidance toward whatever rightful destination remains. It highlights accountability and the urgency of turning toward dharmic counsel.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to a great sage, expresses despair that he will not reach the supreme state reserved for the truly virtuous. He urgently asks the sage to tell him what known ‘abode’ or course is available to him, indicating a desire to depart promptly—both in the sense of taking immediate action and in facing his end with guidance.