Shloka 13
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा—व्यासोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Collapse and Vyāsa’s Counsel
व्यास उवाच धृतराष्ट्र महाबाहो यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि तच्छूणु । श्रुतवानसि मेधावी धर्मार्थकुशल:ः प्रभो,व्यासजीने कहा--महाबाहु धृतराष्ट्र! मैं तुमसे जो कुछ कहता हूँ, उसे ध्यान देकर सुनो। प्रभो! तुम वेदशास्त्रोंके ज्ञानसे सम्पन्न, मेधावी तथा धर्म और अर्थके साधनमें कुशल हो
vyāsa uvāca | dhṛtarāṣṭra mahābāho yat tvāṁ vakṣyāmi tac chṛṇu | śrutavān asi medhāvī dharmārthakuśalaḥ prabho ||
Vyāsa said: “O mighty-armed Dhṛtarāṣṭra, listen attentively to what I am about to tell you. O lord, you are learned in sacred knowledge, intelligent, and skilled in the means of dharma and artha.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical instruction: even a ruler reputed to know dharma and artha must listen carefully to wise counsel. It underscores that learning and intelligence are meant to guide conduct, especially in moments of crisis and moral reckoning.
In the Strī Parva’s post-war setting, Vyāsa addresses the grieving Dhṛtarāṣṭra and prepares to deliver guidance. The verse functions as a formal preface, calling for attentive listening and acknowledging Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s status and education before imparting counsel.