Shloka 303
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
महादानानि दत्तानि श्राद्धानि च पुनः पुनः । “बेटा! तुम्हारे द्वारा सुरक्षित होकर मैं यहाँ बड़े सुखसे रहा हूँ। मैंने बड़े-बड़े दान दिये हैं और बारंबार श्राद्धकर्मोंका अनुष्ठान किया है
mahādānāni dattāni śrāddhāni ca punaḥ punaḥ |
ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രൻ പറഞ്ഞു— “മകനേ, നിന്റെ സംരക്ഷണത്തിൽ ഞാൻ ഇവിടെ സുഖത്തോടെ കഴിഞ്ഞു. ഞാൻ മഹാദാനങ്ങൾ നൽകി; വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും ശ്രാദ്ധകർമ്മങ്ങൾ അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചു.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two pillars of dharma in later life: dāna (generosity) and śrāddha (duty toward ancestors). It suggests that ethical living includes both social responsibility (supporting others through gifts) and continuity of familial-sacral obligations (honoring the departed).
Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks reflectively about his conduct—claiming he has given major donations and repeatedly performed śrāddha rites—framing his present condition as one sustained by protection and by accumulated religious merit.