Shloka 5
धृतराष्ट्र-सेवा, राज्य-कार्य-विभागः
Service to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Allocation of State Duties
“महाराज धृतराष्ट्र मेरे पिता (ताऊ) और श्रेष्ठ देवता हैं। जो लोग मेरा प्रिय करना चाहते हों उन्हें सदा उनकी आज्ञाके पालन तथा हित-साधनमें लगे रहना चाहिये ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭro me pitā (tāu) ca śreṣṭha-devatā ca | ye janā mama priyaṃ kartum iccheyuḥ te sadā tasya ājñā-pālane hita-sādhane ca yuktā bhaveyuḥ || etad-arthaṃ hi jīvāmi kṛtvā jñāti-vadhaṃ mahat | asya śuśrūṣaṇaṃ kāryaṃ mayā nityam atandriṇā ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「持国王ドリタラーシュトラは、わたしにとって父（父方の叔父にも等しい年長者）であり、また崇敬すべき神格でもある。わたしを喜ばせたい者は、常にその御命令に従い、御身の安寧と利益をはかることに励むべきである。まことに、同族のあいだにこれほど大いなる殺戮を招いたのち、わたしはいま、この目的のためにこそ生きている。怠ることなく、絶え間なく、王の奉仕と細やかな看護に身を捧げねばならぬ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma after catastrophe: having participated in the destruction of one’s own kin, one must take responsibility through vigilant service, obedience, and active welfare of the elder/king regarded as a father-figure and highest authority.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a speaker declares that Dhṛtarāṣṭra is like a father and worthy of reverence; therefore, anyone wishing to please the speaker should obey Dhṛtarāṣṭra and work for his good. The speaker emphasizes living on specifically to serve Dhṛtarāṣṭra after the immense kinsmen-slaying of the war.