Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
श्रीशुक उवाच स गत्वा हास्तिनपुरं पौरवेन्द्रयशोऽङ्कितम् । ददर्श तत्राम्बिकेयं सभीष्मं विदुरं पृथाम् ॥ १ ॥ सहपुत्रं च बाह्लीकं भारद्वाजं सगौतमम् । कर्णं सुयोधनं द्रौणिं पाण्डवान् सुहृदोऽपरान् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca sa gatvā hāstinapuraṁ pauravendra-yaśo-’ṅkitam dadarśa tatrāmbikeyaṁ sa-bhīṣmaṁ viduraṁ pṛthām
舒迦提婆说:阿克鲁罗前往哈斯提那补罗,那城以普罗婆王族的荣耀而著称。在那里他见到持国王、毗湿摩、毗度罗与普丽塔(昆蒂),又见到巴赫利迦及其子苏摩达多;并见到德罗纳阿阇黎、克利帕阿阇黎、迦尔纳、苏约陀那、德罗尼(阿湿瓦塔摩)、般度诸子以及其他亲密友人。
Āmbikeya refers to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, called so because he is the son of Ambikā.
The verse situates the narrative in the Kuru royal assembly at Hastināpura, indicating the presence of key elders and devotees connected to the Mahābhārata line.
It highlights the importance of saintly and wise association—seeking guidance from principled elders and devotees when navigating complex family or social duty.