Shloka 19
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
दूरादालक्षित: क्षत्ता तत्राख्यातो महीपते: । निवर्तमान: सहसा राजन् दृष्टवा55श्रमं प्रति
dūrād ālakṣitaḥ kṣattā tatrākhyāto mahīpate | nivartamānaḥ sahasā rājan dṛṣṭvāśramaṃ prati ||
ದೂರದಿಂದಲೇ ಕ್ಷತ್ತಾ ವಿದುರನು ಗುರುತಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟು, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಅವನ ಆಗಮನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ರಾಜನೇ! ಆಶ್ರಮದ ಕಡೆ ನೋಡಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಅವನು ಅಚಾನಕ ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿ ಹಿಂದೆ ಸರಿಯತೊಡಗಿದನು.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and detachment: even when recognized and announced, Vidura turns back upon seeing the hermitage, implying a renunciant’s discipline—prioritizing inner resolve and dharma over emotional reunion or worldly recognition.
Vidura is seen approaching from a distance and his arrival is reported to the king; however, upon looking toward the hermitage, he suddenly turns back, withdrawing instead of entering—setting up the episode of his austere, renunciant state.