Shloka 11
धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति व्यवहार-रक्षा-नियमनोपदेशः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Instruction on Administration, Punishment, and Daily Governance
दिष्ट्या त्वद्य महाबाहो धृतराष्ट्र: प्रयाचते,इति श्रीमहाभारते आश्रमवासिके पर्वणि आश्रमवासपर्वणि एकादशो<ध्याय: ।।
dṛṣṭyā tv adya mahābāho dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ prayācate | vaiśampāyana uvāca ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Syukurlah, wahai yang berlengan perkasa, pada hari ini Dhṛtarāṣṭra sedang mengemukakan permohonannya.” Baris ini menandai suatu perubahan yang penuh harapan dalam kisah: setelah penderitaan panjang dan ketegangan moral, tindakan raja tua itu untuk memohon—mencari izin, bimbingan, atau perdamaian—menjadi gerak menuju pengendalian diri, kerendahan hati, dan penutupan yang selaras dengan dharma, sebagaimana layak bagi tahap hidup bersemadi di rimba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic shift is implied: when an elder who has endured grief and responsibility chooses to ‘ask’ rather than command, it reflects humility, self-restraint, and readiness for the ethical transition toward vānaprastha (forest-dwelling) values—seeking counsel, permission, and reconciliation.
The narrator announces an auspicious development: Dhṛtarāṣṭra is about to make a formal request. This functions as a narrative hinge, preparing the listener for the next action or decision connected with withdrawal from courtly life and the moral settling of remaining duties.