Shloka 28
स्त्रीपर्व — अध्याय १५: गान्धारी-युधिष्ठिर-संवादः
Gandhārī’s Confrontation and Consolation of Yudhiṣṭhira
तमेवंवादिनं भीतं संनिकर्षगतं तदा । नोवाच किंचिद् गान्धारी निःश्वासपरमा भूशम्,जब निकट आकर डरे हुए राजा युधिष्ठिरने ऐसी बातें कहीं, तब गान्धारी देवी जोर- जोरसे साँस खींचती हुई सिसकने लगीं। वे मुँहसे कुछ बोल न सकीं
tam evaṃ-vādinaṃ bhītaṃ saṃnikarṣa-gataṃ tadā | novāca kiṃcid gāndhārī niḥśvāsa-paramā bhūśam ||
When the frightened Yudhiṣṭhira, having come close, spoke in this manner, Gāndhārī—overwhelmed—could not utter a single word. She only breathed heavily again and again, her grief breaking into sobs.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of war’s aftermath: even when words are sought—whether for consolation, judgment, or reconciliation—grief can render speech impossible. It underscores compassion toward the bereaved and the recognition that suffering may express itself as silence and breath rather than argument or doctrine.
After Yudhiṣṭhira approaches and speaks (in fear and humility), Gāndhārī is so overwhelmed by sorrow that she cannot respond verbally. Her reaction is conveyed through intense sighing and sobbing, signaling the depth of her mourning in the post-war scene.