Shloka 7
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
स पुत्रे राज्यमासज्य ज्येछे परमधार्मिके । सहस्रचित्यो धर्मात्मा प्रविवेश वनं नृप:,धर्मात्मा राजा सहस्रचित्य अपने परम धर्मात्मा ज्येष्ठ पुत्रको राज्यका भार सौंपकर तपस्याके लिये इसी वनमें प्रविष्ट हुए
sa putre rājyam āsajya jyeṣṭhe paramadhārmike | sahasracityaḥ dharmātmā praviveśa vanaṁ nṛpaḥ ||
परम धर्मनिष्ठ ज्येष्ठ पुत्राकडे राज्यभार सोपवून धर्मात्मा राजा सहस्रचित्य तपस्येसाठी वनात प्रविष्ट झाला।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of leadership: a king should ensure orderly succession by entrusting rule to a qualified heir, and only then pursue personal austerity and renunciation. Ethical governance and responsible withdrawal are presented as complementary duties.
Nārada recounts that King Sahasracitya handed over the kingdom to his eldest, highly righteous son and then entered the forest to live an ascetic life, indicating a transition from royal responsibility to spiritual discipline.