Shloka 11
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
गान्धार्या सहितो धीमान् वध्वा कुन्त्या समन्वित: । संजयेन च सूतेन साग्निहोत्र: सयाजक:,कुरुकुलको आनन्दित करनेवाले नरेश! जब तुमलोग वनसे लौट आये, तब तुम्हारे बुद्धिमान् ताऊ राजा धुृतराष्ट्र गान्धारी, बहू कुन्ती, सूत संजय, अग्निहोत्र और पुरोहितके साथ कुरुक्षेत्रसे गड़ाद्वार (हरिद्वार)-को चले गये
nārada uvāca | gāndhāryā sahito dhīmān vadhvā kuntyā samanvitaḥ | sañjayena ca sūtena sāgnihotraḥ sayājakaḥ | kurukula-ko ānandita-karaṇevāle nareśa! yadā yūyaṁ vanāt pratyāgatās tadā tava dhīmān tātā rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro gāndhārī-kuntyā saha sūta-sañjayena agnihotra-purohitābhyāṁ ca kurukṣetrāt gaḍādvāraṁ (haridvāram) jagāma ||
Nārada disse: “Ó rei que traz alegria à linhagem dos Kurus! Quando retornastes da floresta, teu sábio tio, o rei Dhṛtarāṣṭra—acompanhado de Gāndhārī, de sua nora Kuntī, do cocheiro Sañjaya, e assistido pelo sagrado Agnihotra e pelo sacerdote oficiante—partiu de Kurukṣetra rumo a Gaṅgādvāra (Haridwar).”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
After the devastation of war, dharma often expresses itself as withdrawal from power, renewed ritual discipline, and a turn toward sacred places. The elders’ journey signals ethical reorientation: accepting consequences, seeking inner purification, and preparing for the final stage of life.
Narada informs the king that, once the younger generation returned from the forest, Dhritarashtra left with Gandhari, Kunti, and Sanjaya, along with the sacred fire observance and priestly support, traveling from Kurukshetra to Gadadvara (Haridwar) to live a more ascetic, pilgrimage-oriented life.