Shloka 56
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
धृतराष्ट उवाच तापस्ये मे मनस्तात वर्तते कुरुनन्दन । उचितं च कुले5स्माकमरण्यगमन प्रभो
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | tāpasye me manas tāta vartate kurunandana | ucitaṃ ca kule 'smākam araṇyagamanaṃ prabho ||
Wika ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra: “Anak ko, O ligaya ng angkan ng Kuru, ngayo’y ang aking isip ay nakatuon na sa pag-aayuno at pagtalima ng mga asceta. O panginoon, para sa taong nasa huling yugto ng buhay, ang pagpunta sa gubat ay nararapat din ayon sa kaugalian ng aming lahi.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms āśrama-dharma: in the later stage of life, turning the mind toward tapas and withdrawing to the forest (vānaprastha) is considered appropriate, especially for a royal lineage that upholds traditional duties.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra declares his resolve to pursue austerity and to depart for the forest, presenting it as both his personal inclination and a fitting course for the Kuru family in life’s final phase.