Shloka 9
Adhyāya 128 — Proposal to Restrain Keśava; Sātyaki’s Warning and Vidura–Dhṛtarāṣṭra Counsel
वैशम्पायन उवाच सा भर्तवचन श्रुत्वा राजपुत्री यशस्विनी । अन्विच्छन्ती महच्छेयो गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca sā bhartavacanaṃ śrutvā rājaputrī yaśasvinī | anvicchantī mahaccheyo gāndhārī vākyam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Nghe lời của phu quân, vị công chúa lừng danh, tìm cầu điều thiện tối thượng, liền cất lời như sau—đó là Gāndhārī, người chăm chú vào điều lợi ích và hợp với dharma nhất trong hoàn cảnh ấy.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal of deliberation: after hearing her husband, Gāndhārī speaks while aiming at mahacchreyaḥ—the highest welfare—implying that counsel should be guided not by impulse or factional interest but by what is truly beneficial and righteous.
The narrator introduces a transition: Gāndhārī, described as an illustrious princess, has heard her husband’s words and is about to respond. Her response is framed as purposeful—she seeks the greatest good—setting the ethical tone for the counsel she will give.