Shloka 9
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
धृतराष्ट उवाच शतायुरुक्त: पुरुष: सर्ववेदेषु वै यदा । नाप्रोत्यथ च तत् सर्वमायु: केनेह हेतुना
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | śatāyur uktaḥ puruṣaḥ sarvavedeṣu vai yadā | nāpnoty atha ca tat sarvam āyuḥ keneha hetunā ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Wahai Vidura, bila dalam semua Weda umur manusia disebut seratus tahun, mengapa di sini ia tidak mencapai usia penuh itu? Apa sebabnya?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry into the gap between scriptural ideal (a full hundred-year life) and lived reality, inviting reflection on causes such as conduct, self-discipline, and karmic conditions that shorten or sustain life.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Vidura about human longevity: if the Vedas speak of a hundred-year lifespan, why do people fail to reach it, and what explains premature death.