Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
समदु:खसुखोऽक्रूरो विदुरश्च महायशा: । सान्त्वयामासतु: कुन्तीं तत्पुत्रोत्पत्तिहेतुभि: ॥ १५ ॥
sama-duḥkha-sukho ’krūro viduraś ca mahā-yaśāḥ sāntvayām āsatuḥ kuntīṁ tat-putrotpatti-hetubhiḥ
与昆蒂同甘共苦的阿克鲁罗,以及声名卓著的毗度罗,以她诸子非凡的降生缘由相劝慰,使昆蒂得以宽心。
Akrūra and Vidura reminded Queen Kuntī that her sons were born of heavenly gods and thus could not be vanquished like ordinary mortals. In fact, an extraordinary victory awaited this most pious family.
This verse highlights Akrūra’s steadiness—being sama (equal) in joy and sorrow—showing the Bhagavatam’s ideal of inner balance grounded in dharma and devotion.
They comforted her by recalling the divine and fateful circumstances behind the birth of her sons, helping her see her suffering within a larger providential framework.
Practice steadiness during ups and downs, and when consoling others, remind them of meaning, purpose, and the bigger picture—without denying their pain—just as Akrūra and Vidura did.