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 |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra disse: “Esta Gandhārī—embora privada de seus filhos—assiste-me com firmeza e paciente fortaleza. Ela que, conforme suas forças, empreendeu nobres atos de mérito, e cujos cem filhos foram mortos, ainda assim continua a cuidar de mim com autocontrole inabalável.”
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.