Shloka 17
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
अब राजाका कोई निश्चित स्थान नहीं रह गया। वे वनमें सब ओर विचरते रहते थे। गान्धारी और कुन्ती ये दोनों देवियाँ साथ रहकर राजाके पीछे-पीछे लगी रहती थीं। संजय भी उन्हींका अनुसरण करते थे ।।
sañjayo nṛpater netā sameṣu viṣameṣu ca | gāndhāryāś ca pṛthā caiva cakṣur āsīd aninditā ||
Wika ni Nārada: Si Sañjaya ang naging gabay ng hari, umaakay sa kanya sa patag man o sa baku-bakong daan. At para kay Gāndhārī, si Pṛthā (Kuntī)—ang babaeng walang dungis at banal—ang naging parang mga mata. Kaya sa kanilang buhay-gubat, ang bulag na si Dhṛtarāṣṭra ay inaalalayan ni Sañjaya sa paglakad, samantalang ang nakapiring na si Gāndhārī ay inaalalayan ni Kuntī sa pagtanaw—larawan ng paglingkod sa isa’t isa, pagpipigil, at dharma matapos ang pagguho ng digmaan.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as humble service and mutual support: Sañjaya compensates for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s blindness by guiding his steps, and Kuntī compensates for Gāndhārī’s self-imposed blindness by becoming her ‘eyes’. After the devastation of war, righteousness is shown not through power but through care, restraint, and companionship in hardship.
During the forest-dwelling phase (āśramavāsa), Dhṛtarāṣṭra wanders without a fixed abode. Sañjaya leads him safely over both smooth and rough ground. Gāndhārī and Kuntī remain together, and Kuntī assists Gāndhārī by acting as her eyesight, enabling her to move and function despite her blindfold.