Shloka 7
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वनप्रस्थानानुज्ञा | Permission for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Forest-Retirement
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आश्रमवासिकपवके अन्तर्गत आश्रमवासपर्वमें धृतराष््रका उपसंवादविषयक सातवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
anujñātaḥ svayaṃ tena vyāsena tvaṃ maharṣiṇā | yudhiṣṭhirasya anumate kadā araṇyaṃ gamiṣyasi || vṛddho 'yaṃ hataputro 'yaṃ duḥkhito 'yaṃ narādhipa ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra disse: “Ó rei, o grande sábio Vyāsa em pessoa já te concedeu permissão, e o consentimento de Yudhiṣṭhira também foi obtido. Quando, então, partirás para a floresta? Estou velho; meus filhos foram mortos; a dor me oprime, ó senhor dos homens.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames vānaprastha/retirement as a dharmic transition: once rightful permissions are secured, an aged ruler burdened by grief should move toward renunciation and inner discipline rather than cling to power or courtly life.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks about leaving for the forest. He notes that Vyāsa has authorized the move and that Yudhiṣṭhira has consented, then asks when the departure will occur, emphasizing his old age, the death of his sons, and his sorrow.