धृतराष्ट्रस्तु धर्मात्मा पाण्डवै: सहितस्तदा । शुचिरेकमना सार्धमृषिभिस्तैरुपाविशत्
dhṛtarāṣṭras tu dharmātmā pāṇḍavaiḥ sahitas tadā | śucir ekamanā sārdham ṛṣibhis tair upāviśat ||
धृतराष्ट्रस्तु धर्मात्मा पाण्डवैः सहितस्तदा । शुचिरेकमना सार्धमृषिभिस्तैरुपाविशत् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic inwardness: even a former king like Dhṛtarāṣṭra is portrayed as cultivating purity (śuci) and single-pointed composure (ekamanā) in the company of sages, suggesting that ethical renewal and self-restraint are central to the forest stage of life.
In the Āśramavāsika setting, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, accompanied by the Pāṇḍavas, sits down with the assembled ṛṣis. The action marks a formal, respectful participation in ascetic/ritual or counsel-oriented proceedings, emphasizing a shift from courtly life to contemplative forest discipline.