Shloka 316
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
गान्धारी हतपुत्रेयं धैयेंणोदीक्षते च माम् । “पुत्र! जिसने अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार उत्कृष्ट पुण्यका अनुष्ठान किया है और जिसके सौ पुत्र मारे गये हैं, वही यह गान्धारीदेवी धैर्यपूर्वक मेरी देख-भाल करती है
gāndhārī hataputrā iyaṃ dhairyeṇodīkṣate ca mām |
ଧୃତରାଷ୍ଟ୍ର କହିଲେ— “ପୁତ୍ର! ଏହି ଗାନ୍ଧାରୀ—ପୁତ୍ରହୀନ ହୋଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ—ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ମୋତେ ଦେଖାଶୁଣା କରୁଛି। ଯିଏ ନିଜ ଶକ୍ତିଅନୁସାରେ ଉତ୍କୃଷ୍ଟ ପୁଣ୍ୟକର୍ମ କରିଛି ଏବଂ ଯାହାର ଶତ ପୁତ୍ର ନିହତ, ସେଇ ଧୃତି-ସଂୟମରେ ମୋର ପରିଚର୍ଯ୍ୟା କରୁଛି।”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid overwhelming personal loss, dharma can be upheld through steadfast self-control and compassionate service. Gandhārī’s endurance models ethical strength: grief need not cancel one’s duties, and care for others can become a disciplined spiritual response to suffering.
In the Āśramavāsika context, Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on Gandhārī’s condition after the war: though all her sons have died, she continues to attend upon him with patience and firmness, highlighting the Kuru elders’ life of austerity and mutual dependence in their later years.