Shloka 17
Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
अक्रूर उवाच भो भो वैचित्रवीर्य त्वं कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धन । भ्रातर्युपरते पाण्डावधुनासनमास्थित: ॥ १७ ॥
akrūra uvāca bho bho vaicitravīrya tvaṁ kurūṇāṁ kīrti-vardhana bhrātary uparate pāṇḍāv adhunāsanam āsthitaḥ
อครูระกล่าวว่า โอ้โอรสแห่งวิจิตรวีรยะ ผู้เพิ่มพูนเกียรติแห่งวงศ์กุรุ เมื่อพี่น้องของท่านคือปาณฑุสิ้นไปแล้ว บัดนี้ท่านได้ขึ้นครองบัลลังก์
Akrūra was speaking ironically, since the young sons of Pāṇḍu should actually have been occupying the throne. Upon the death of Pāṇḍu, they were too young to immediately govern and so were put in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s care, but now sufficient time had passed, and their legitimate rights should have been recognized.
FAQs
In this verse, Akrūra addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra as “Vaicitravīrya,” meaning the son/descendant of Vicitravīrya in the Kuru line.
Akrūra is formally acknowledging Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s position as the one who assumed Pāṇḍu’s seat after Pāṇḍu’s passing—setting the context for counsel about righteous governance and the Kuru situation.
It highlights that authority is often entrusted due to circumstance, and such a position should be carried with responsibility, reputation, and dharmic guardianship rather than personal bias.