धृतराष्ट्राश्रमगमनम् — The Pandavas’ Procession to Dhritarashtra’s Hermitage
राजा च पाण्डवै: सार्थमिष्टे देशे सहानुग: । निवासमकरोदू धीमान् सस्त्रीवृद्धपुर:सर:,बुद्धिमान् राजा धृतराष्ट्र स्त्रियों और वृद्धोंको आगे करके पाण्डवों तथा सेवकोंके साथ वहाँ अभीष्ट स्थानमें ठहरे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | rājā ca pāṇḍavaiḥ sārtham iṣṭe deśe sahānugaḥ | nivāsam akarod dhīmān sa-strī-vṛddha-puraḥsaraḥ ||
毗舍波耶那说:智者持国王(Dhṛtarāṣṭra)与随从同在,偕般度五子住于一处所择而可意之地,并令妇女与老者居前——此举显出关护与礼法,亦是退隐之际仍守护众生之法(dharma)。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even amid political decline and personal loss, dharma expresses itself through orderly conduct and protection: the vulnerable (women and elders) are honored and safeguarded first, while the powerful accept a disciplined, restrained mode of life.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, no longer ruling, settles in a suitable place together with the Pāṇḍavas and his attendants, arranging the group so that women and the elderly go foremost, indicating a careful, respectful transition into an ashrama-like residence.