Shloka 16
Kuntī’s Retrospective Uddharṣaṇa and Renunciatory Resolve (कुन्त्युद्धर्षण-प्रत्याख्यानम्)
तथा नार्यों नुसिंहानां सोडवरोधजनस्तदा । पौरजानपदाश्रैव ददृशुस्तं जनाधिपम्
tathā nāryo nṛsiṁhānāṁ sodavarodhajanas tadā | paurajānapadāś caiva dadṛśus taṁ janādhipam ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：随后，那些如狮般勇士的妻子们，连同内廷诸女与王室女眷，以及城中百姓与乡野居民，也都依次前来，瞻仰那位人中之主——持国王（Dhṛtarāṣṭra）。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights social and ethical order: even amid upheaval, the community—royal household and common people alike—recognizes the dignity of an elder ruler. It reflects the dharmic impulse to offer regard and witness, bridging private spaces (antahpura) and public life (paura, jānapada).
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the women connected with the heroic men and the inner palace, along with citizens and provincial folk, come in sequence to see King Dhṛtarāṣṭra—indicating a collective audience or public viewing of the king at this stage of the story.