Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
श्रुत्वा तु कुन्ती तद्घाक्यमर्थकामेन भाषितम् | सा निः:श्वसन्ती दुःखार्ता मनसा विममर्श ह,विदुरजीने उभय पक्षके हितकी इच्छासे ही यह बात कही थी। इसे सुनकर कुन्ती दुःखसे आतुर हो उठी और लम्बी साँस खींचती हुई मन-ही-मन इस प्रकार विचार करने लगी--
śrutvā tu kuntī tad vākyam arthakāmena bhāṣitam | sā niḥśvasantī duḥkhārtā manasā vimamarśa ha ||
Mendengar kata-kata itu—yang diucapkan dengan memandang manfaat dan dharma sekaligus—Kuntī diliputi duka. Sambil menarik napas panjang, ia mulai menimbang-nimbang dalam batinnya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights ethical deliberation under distress: wise action in a crisis begins with attentive listening and inward reflection, especially when counsel is framed around practical welfare (artha) and intended aims (kāma) that must still be weighed against dharma.
After hearing a significant statement (contextually, counsel meant for the good of both sides), Kuntī is struck by grief. She sighs and turns inward, beginning a serious mental deliberation about the difficult situation and the choices ahead.