Shloka 243
धृतराष्ट्रस्य सत्कारः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Honored in the Post-war Court
किंकरा: पर्युपातिष्ठन् सर्वा: सुबलजां तथा । पुरुषप्रवर! कुन्ती
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: kiṅkarāḥ paryupātiṣṭhan sarvāḥ subalajāṃ tathā | puruṣapravara! kuntī, draupadī, yaśasvinī subhadrā, nāgakanyā ulūpī, devī citrāṅgadā, dhṛṣṭaketukī bahin tathā jarāsandhakī putrī—ye tathā kurukulakī dvitīyā bahuśaḥ striyaḥ dāsīvat subalaputrīṃ gāndhārīṃ sevāyāṃ lagāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai insan terbaik, semua perempuan berdiri mengelilingi putri Subala, Gāndhārī, dan melayaninya laksana dayang-dayang. Kuntī, Draupadī, Subhadrā yang termasyhur, putri Nāga Ulūpī, Citrāṅgadā yang mulia, saudari Dhṛṣṭaketu, putri Jarāsandha, serta banyak perempuan lain dari wangsa Kuru—senantiasa tekun mengabdi kepada Gāndhārī.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as humble service and respect toward elders in a time of collective loss. Even royal women accept a servant-like role to honor Gāndhārī’s seniority and suffering, modeling ethical solidarity after the devastation of war.
In the opening of Āśramavāsika Parva, the widowed and bereaved women of the Kuru world gather around Gāndhārī and attend upon her. The text lists prominent figures—Kuntī, Draupadī, Subhadrā, Ulūpī, Citrāṅgadā, and others—depicting a household/āśrama setting where service replaces royal privilege.