इत्युक्तवत्यां गान्धार्या कुन्ती व्रतकृशानना
ity uktavatyāṃ gāndhāryā kuntī vratakṛśānanā
جب گاندھاری یہ کہہ چکی، تو کنٹی—جو ورت و تپسیا سے دبلی اور زردرو ہو چکی تھی—(وہاں) موجود تھی۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of bearing suffering with disciplined restraint: after Gandhārī’s words, Kuntī is characterized not by argument or power but by austerity (vrata) that has physically transformed her, suggesting inner resolve and acceptance of karmic and dharmic consequences.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a transition: Gandhārī has just finished speaking, and attention shifts to Kuntī, described as emaciated from vows and ascetic practice—setting up Kuntī’s reaction within the forest-ascetic context of the Ashramavāsika episode.