Shloka 2
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Bereavement and the Averted Assault on Bhīma (Āyasī Pratimā Episode)
ते तु दृष्टवैव राजान प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमी श्वरम् । अश्रुकण्ठा विनि:श्वस्य रुदन््तमिदमन्रुवन्,रोते हुए ऐश्वर्यशाली प्रज्ञाचक्षु राजा धृतराष्ट्रको देखते ही आँसुओंसे उनका गला भर आया और वे इस प्रकार बोले--
te tu dṛṣṭvaiva rājānaṃ prajñācakṣuṣam īśvaram | aśrukaṇṭhā viniḥśvasya rudantam idam anvruvan ||
Begitu mereka melihat Raja Dhṛtarāṣṭra—mulia, meski buta, namun memandang dengan mata kebijaksanaan—tenggorokan mereka tercekat oleh air mata. Menghela napas panjang, mereka berkata kepadanya demikian, sementara sang raja menangis.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even royal power and intellectual discernment cannot prevent the consequences of adharma and violence; grief becomes a moral reckoning, inviting compassion, restraint, and reflection on responsibility after catastrophe.
The onlookers see King Dhṛtarāṣṭra—blind yet described as 'prajñācakṣu'—weeping. Overcome with tears and sighs, they begin to address him, setting the tone for lamentation and moral reflection in the aftermath of the war.