Shloka 66
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 96 — काश्यकन्याहरणं, शाल्वसमागमः, अम्बावचनं च
Kāśī princesses taken; encounter with Śālva; Ambā’s declaration
ततस्ते पाण्डवा: कुन्त्या सहिता हास्तिनपुर-मानीय तापसैर्भीष्मस्य च विदुरस्य च निवेदिता: । सर्ववर्णानां च निवेद्यान्तर्हितास्तापसा बभूवु: प्रेक्ष्य-माणानां तेषाम्,इसके बाद तपस्वी मुनियोंने कुन्तीसहित पाण्डवोंको वनसे हस्तिनापुरमें लाकर भीष्म तथा विदुरजीको सौंप दिया। साथ ही समस्त प्रजावर्गके लोगोंको भी सारे समाचार बताकर वे तपस्वी उन सबके देखते-देखते वहाँसे अन्तर्धान हो गये
tatas te pāṇḍavāḥ kuntyā sahitā hāstinapuraṃ ānīyā tāpasair bhīṣmasya ca vidurasya ca niveditāḥ | sarvavarṇānāṃ ca nivedyāntarhitās tāpasā babhūvuḥ prekṣyamāṇānāṃ teṣām ||
Then those Pāṇḍavas, accompanied by Kuntī, were brought to Hāstinapura by the ascetic sages and formally entrusted to Bhīṣma and to Vidura. After also informing the people of all social orders of the news, the sages vanished from sight even as everyone watched. The episode underscores the ethical duty of guardianship and the public accountability of those who protect vulnerable heirs and preserve the continuity of righteous rule.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate authority and protection of vulnerable heirs must be established transparently: the sages do not merely rescue the Pāṇḍavas but formally entrust them to responsible guardians (Bhīṣma and Vidura) and inform the wider public, highlighting dharma as both care and accountability.
Ascetic sages bring the Pāṇḍavas and Kuntī from the forest to Hastināpura, present them to Bhīṣma and Vidura, announce the news to all social groups, and then vanish from sight in front of the onlookers.