Shloka 9
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
वैशम्पायन उवाच सा भर्तवचन श्रुत्वा राजपुत्री यशस्विनी । अन्विच्छन्ती महच्छेयो गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca sā bhartavacanaṃ śrutvā rājaputrī yaśasvinī | anvicchantī mahaccheyo gāndhārī vākyam abravīt ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഭർത്താവിന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ട യശസ്വിനിയായ രാജകുമാരി ഗാന്ധാരി, മഹത്തായ ശ്രേയസ്സിനെ തേടി, ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal of deliberation: after hearing her husband, Gāndhārī speaks while aiming at mahacchreyaḥ—the highest welfare—implying that counsel should be guided not by impulse or factional interest but by what is truly beneficial and righteous.
The narrator introduces a transition: Gāndhārī, described as an illustrious princess, has heard her husband’s words and is about to respond. Her response is framed as purposeful—she seeks the greatest good—setting the ethical tone for the counsel she will give.