Shloka 2
Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
श्रीशुक उवाच स गत्वा हास्तिनपुरं पौरवेन्द्रयशोऽङ्कितम् । ददर्श तत्राम्बिकेयं सभीष्मं विदुरं पृथाम् ॥ १ ॥ सहपुत्रं च बाह्लीकं भारद्वाजं सगौतमम् । कर्णं सुयोधनं द्रौणिं पाण्डवान् सुहृदोऽपरान् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca sa gatvā hāstinapuraṁ pauravendra-yaśo-’ṅkitam dadarśa tatrāmbikeyaṁ sa-bhīṣmaṁ viduraṁ pṛthām
シュカデーヴァは語った。アクルーラは、パウラヴァ王たちの栄光で名高い都ハスティナープラへ赴いた。そこで彼は、ドリタラーシュトラ、ビーシュマ、ヴィドゥラ、プリター（クンティー）を見、さらにバーリカとその子ソーマダッタにも会った。また、ドローナ・アーチャーリヤ、クリパ・アーチャーリヤ、カルナ、スヨーダナ、ドラウニ（アシュヴァッターマー）、パーンダヴァたち、その他の親しい友人をも見た。
FAQs
‘Ambikeya’ refers to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā, whom the visitor sees in Hastināpura along with other Kuru elders.
This verse situates the Bhagavatam’s Krishna-centered narrative within the historical Kuru court, showing who was present in Hastināpura at that time and linking Krishna’s pastimes with the Mahābhārata setting.
It reminds us that spiritual history is lived among real people and relationships—so one should seek dharma and devotion even within complex family, social, and political environments.