Shloka 9
शोकाकुल-युधिष्ठिरं प्रति कुन्त्याः कालोचितोपदेशः | Kuntī’s Timely Counsel to the Grief-Stricken Yudhiṣṭhira
इत्युक्तो धर्मराजस्तु मात्रा बाष्पाकुलेक्षण: । उवाच वाक्यं धर्मात्मा शोकव्याकुलितेन्द्रिय:
ity ukto dharmarājas tu mātrā bāṣpākulekṣaṇaḥ | uvāca vākyaṃ dharmātmā śokavyākulitendriyaḥ ||
Assim interpelado por sua mãe, os olhos do rei Yudhiṣṭhira encheram-se de lágrimas. Oprimido pela dor e com os sentidos abalados, aquele soberano de alma justa respondeu—lamentando que, ao manter oculto um assunto tão confidencial, ela lhe causara profunda angústia.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of concealed truth within family and dharma: secrecy meant to protect can still generate profound suffering and moral turmoil when revealed, especially for a ruler committed to righteousness.
After Kuntī speaks to him, Yudhiṣṭhira is overcome with sorrow—his eyes brimming with tears—and he responds, expressing anguish that she kept a sensitive, confidential matter hidden from him.