Shloka 3
Chapter 10: Survivors Console the Royal Couple and Disperse (धृतराष्ट्र–गान्धारी प्रति निवेदनम्)
एवमुकक््त्वा स धर्मात्मा विदुरं धर्मवित्तमम् । शोकविप्रहतज्ञानो यानमेवान्वपद्यत,परम धर्मज्ञ विदुरजीसे ऐसा कहकर शोकसे जिनकी ज्ञानशक्ति नष्ट-सी हो गयी थी, वे धर्मात्मा राजा धृतराष्ट्र रथपर सवार हुए
evam uktvā sa dharmātmā viduraṁ dharmavittamam | śokaviprahatajñāno yānam evānvapadyata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus to Vidura—foremost among those who know dharma—the righteous Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his discernment as though shattered by grief, at once mounted his conveyance. The scene underscores how even a king devoted to dharma can be overwhelmed by sorrow, yet still moves forward under the guidance of a truly dharma-knowing counselor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between dharma and human vulnerability: even a dharmic ruler can have judgment clouded by grief, and therefore needs the steadying presence of a true dharma-knower like Vidura.
After addressing Vidura, Dhṛtarāṣṭra—overwhelmed by sorrow—proceeds to mount his vehicle, indicating an immediate move to the next action in the post-war events of the Strī Parva.