Shloka 4
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा—व्यासोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Collapse and Vyāsa’s Counsel
पस्पृशुश्च करैगात्रं वीजमानाश्न यत्नतः । अन्वासन् सुचिरं काल धृतराष्ट्र तथागतम्
pasparśuś ca karair gātraṃ vījamānāś ca yatnataḥ | anvāsan suciraṃ kālaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ tathāgatam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The women carefully touched his limbs with their hands and diligently fanned him. Thus they attended upon Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who had arrived there, for a long time—an image of devoted service offered to an aged, grief-stricken king in the aftermath of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid collective mourning after war, dharma expresses itself through compassion and attentive service—especially toward the aged and afflicted. The verse highlights care (touching, fanning, staying near) as an ethical response to suffering.
After Dhṛtarāṣṭra arrives, the women around him (in the context of the Strī-parvan’s lamentation scenes) physically comfort him by touching his limbs, fanning him, and remaining near him for a long time, indicating sustained attendance and support.