Shloka 16
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
धृतराष्ट्रस्तु तेनाह्नला गत्वा सुमहदन्तरम् । ततो भागीरथीतीरे निवासमकरोत् प्रभु:,उधर राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने उस दिन बहुत दूरतक यात्रा करके संध्याके समय गंगाके तटपर निवास किया
dhṛtarāṣṭras tu tenāhnā gatvā sumahad antaram | tato bhāgīrathī-tīre nivāsam akarot prabhuḥ ||
ویشَمپایَن نے کہا— اُس دن دھرتراشٹر بہت دور تک چلا؛ پھر بھاگیرتھی (گنگا) کے کنارے اُس بزرگ بادشاہ نے قیام کیا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic turn from power to restraint: an aged ruler, burdened by the consequences of conflict, moves away from courtly life toward a simpler dwelling by the sacred river—symbolizing withdrawal, reflection, and preparation for austerity.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Dhṛtarāṣṭra journeys a long distance in a single day and then settles for the evening on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā), marking a stage in his transition to a forest-dwelling life.