Shloka 2
Āśramāgamanam — The Pāṇḍavas Arrive at Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Hermitage
धृतराष्ट्रस्तु धर्मात्मा पाण्डवै: सहितस्तदा । शुचिरेकमना सार्धमृषिभिस्तैरुपाविशत्
dhṛtarāṣṭras tu dharmātmā pāṇḍavaiḥ sahitas tadā | śucir ekamanā sārdham ṛṣibhis tair upāviśat ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Pada ketika itu, Dhṛtarāṣṭra yang berhati dharma, bersama para Pāṇḍava, duduk bersama para resi—dengan tubuh dan jiwa yang disucikan, serta fikiran yang tertumpu satu arah. Adegan ini menandakan peralihan daripada kuasa raja kepada pengekangan diri yang berdisiplin dan renungan dharma dalam kehidupan rimba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic inwardness: even a former king like Dhṛtarāṣṭra is portrayed as cultivating purity (śuci) and single-pointed composure (ekamanā) in the company of sages, suggesting that ethical renewal and self-restraint are central to the forest stage of life.
In the Āśramavāsika setting, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by the Pāṇḍavas, sits down with the assembled ṛṣis. The action marks a formal, respectful participation in ascetic/ritual or counsel-oriented proceedings, emphasizing a shift from courtly life to contemplative forest discipline.