Shloka 19
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
दूरादालक्षित: क्षत्ता तत्राख्यातो महीपते: । निवर्तमान: सहसा राजन् दृष्टवा55श्रमं प्रति
dūrād ālakṣitaḥ kṣattā tatrākhyāto mahīpate | nivartamānaḥ sahasā rājan dṛṣṭvāśramaṃ prati ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：从远处，人们认出了毗度罗——那位内廷执事（kṣattā），并将其到来禀告国王。然而，大王啊，他只向精舍方向望了一眼，便忽然转身退去——仿佛有意自持，心志趋向出离，而非急于相会。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and detachment: even when recognized and announced, Vidura turns back upon seeing the hermitage, implying a renunciant’s discipline—prioritizing inner resolve and dharma over emotional reunion or worldly recognition.
Vidura is seen approaching from a distance and his arrival is reported to the king; however, upon looking toward the hermitage, he suddenly turns back, withdrawing instead of entering—setting up the episode of his austere, renunciant state.