Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
तस्याद्य कुरुवीरस्य न विज्ञातं वचो मया । तन्मे दहति गात्राणि तदकार्षीत् प्रजागरम्,आज मैं उस कुरुवीर युधिष्ठिरकी बात न जान सका--यही मेरे अंगोंको जला रहा है और इसीने मुझे अबतक जगा रखा है
tasyādya kuruvīrasya na vijñātaṃ vaco mayā | tan me dahati gātrāṇi tad akārṣīt prajāgaram ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Hingga hari ini aku masih belum dapat menangkap kata-kata dan maksud wira Kuru itu (Yudhiṣṭhira). Kegagalan itu membakar seluruh tubuhku, dan derita inilah yang membuat aku berjaga tanpa tidur.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Moral uncertainty and failure to understand a righteous person’s intent can become an inner fire: conscience and fear of consequences disturb the mind more than external threats. The verse highlights how ethical clarity (dharma) is psychologically stabilizing, while confusion about it produces torment.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Dhṛtarāṣṭra confesses his agitation: he cannot discern what Yudhiṣṭhira truly means or will do, and this inability to read the Pandava king’s stance keeps him burning with worry and unable to sleep.