Shloka 17
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
अब राजाका कोई निश्चित स्थान नहीं रह गया। वे वनमें सब ओर विचरते रहते थे। गान्धारी और कुन्ती ये दोनों देवियाँ साथ रहकर राजाके पीछे-पीछे लगी रहती थीं। संजय भी उन्हींका अनुसरण करते थे ।।
sañjayo nṛpater netā sameṣu viṣameṣu ca | gāndhāryāś ca pṛthā caiva cakṣur āsīd aninditā ||
那罗陀说道：三阇耶为王之向导，无论平地或崎岖之途，皆引持国王前行。至于甘达丽，普利塔（昆蒂）——那无可指摘、具德的妇人——便成了她的“眼”。于是，在他们的林居岁月里，盲目的持国王行止赖三阇耶扶持；而蒙眼的甘达丽视路赖昆蒂相助——此乃战祸之后，相互侍奉、克制与达摩的象征。
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as humble service and mutual support: Sañjaya compensates for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s blindness by guiding his steps, and Kuntī compensates for Gāndhārī’s self-imposed blindness by becoming her ‘eyes’. After the devastation of war, righteousness is shown not through power but through care, restraint, and companionship in hardship.
During the forest-dwelling phase (āśramavāsa), Dhṛtarāṣṭra wanders without a fixed abode. Sañjaya leads him safely over both smooth and rough ground. Gāndhārī and Kuntī remain together, and Kuntī assists Gāndhārī by acting as her eyesight, enabling her to move and function despite her blindfold.