Shloka 156
वाष्पसंदिग्धमत्यर्थमिदमाह च तान् भृशम् | तदनन्तर धृतराष्ट्रने अपने मित्रोंको बुलवाया और नेत्रोंमें आँसू भरकर अत्यन्त गद्गद वाणीमें इस प्रकार कहा
vāṣpa-saṃdigdham atyartham idam āha ca tān bhṛśam |
वैशम्पायन उवाच—वाष्पसन्दिग्धनयनो गद्गदया वाचा तान् भृशमिदमाह। ततो धृतराष्ट्रः स्वान् सुहृदः समाहूय शोकाकुलः प्रोवाच।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the consequences of adharma culminate in remorse and grief; emotional collapse becomes a doorway to ethical reflection, urging restraint, accountability, and a turn toward renunciation after worldly ruin.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Dhṛtarāṣṭra, overcome with tears and speaking in a choked voice, addresses those present; it introduces a poignant speech where the old king gathers his companions and speaks from deep sorrow.