Shloka 18
अध्याय ६ — युधिष्ठिरस्य वैराग्य-वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनगमनाभिलाषश्च
Chapter 6: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Appeal and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Resolve for the Forest
तिष्ठेथा राजशार्दूल वैतसीं वृत्तिमास्थित: । यद्येनममभियायाच्च बलवान दुर्बल॑ नृप:
tiṣṭhethā rājaśārdūla vaitasīṃ vṛttim āsthitaḥ | yady enam abhiyāyāc ca balavān durbalo nṛpaḥ ||
ドリタラーシュトラは言った。「ここに留まれ、王たちの中の虎よ。葦のような生き方を取れ――へりくだり、しなやかで、質素な糧に支えられる暮らしである。たとえ強者であれ弱き王であれ、彼を攻めに来る者があっても、この抑制の道において揺るがずにいよ。」
धघतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse commends a disciplined, simple, and flexible mode of living—‘reed-like’ in humility and endurance—so that one remains steady and ethically grounded even when confronted by threats from the strong or the weak.
In the Ashramavāsika context, Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks about remaining in an austere, forest-oriented way of life and maintaining composure and restraint, regardless of who might come forward in hostility.