Shloka 50
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा—व्यासोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Collapse and Vyāsa’s Counsel
वैशग्पायन उवाच तच्छुत्वा तस्य वचन व्यासस्यामिततेजस: । मुहूर्त समनुध्यायन् धृतराष्ट्रो5भ्यभाषत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! अमित तेजस्वी व्यासजीका यह वचन सुनकर राजा धृतराष्ट्र दो घड़ीतक कुछ सोच-विचार करते रहे; फिर इस प्रकार बोले---
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tac chrutvā tasya vacanaṁ vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ | muhūrtaṁ samanudhyāyan dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bhyabhāṣata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing those words of the sage Vyāsa, whose splendor was immeasurable, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflected for a while. Then, after pondering, he spoke in reply.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical importance of pausing to reflect before responding—especially when receiving grave counsel from a wise authority. Thoughtful deliberation (samanudhyāna) is presented as a mark of responsible kingship amid grief and moral crisis.
In the Stree Parva’s aftermath-of-war setting, Vaiśampāyana narrates that Dhṛtarāṣṭra listens to Vyāsa’s words, remains silent for a time in contemplation, and then begins to speak—signaling a transition from receiving counsel to responding to it.