Having reclaimed their kingdom and triumphed over their foes, the Pandavas governed with justice and devotion. Dritarashtra, the eldest of the Kuru lineage, was placed at the head of the royal household. Vidura, Sanjaya, and Yuyutsu remained ever at his side, attending to his needs with unwavering care. The Pandavas, deeply respectful of the Elder King’s wisdom, sought his counsel on all matters of governance. For fifteen years, they adhered faithfully to his guidance. Each day, they approached Dritarashtra reverently, paying respects at his feet before sitting beside him in service and seeking his blessings. Moved by their devotion, the King would embrace them warmly, bless them, and then gently bid them to resume their duties, overseeing the kingdom’s affairs.
Yudhishthira ensured that Dritarashtra and Gandhari were surrounded by every royal comfort: soft beds, fine garments, precious ornaments, and the choicest foods and drinks. Their well-being was of utmost concern, and they were treated with the dignity befitting their station. Vidura, Sanjaya, and Yuyutsu devoted themselves day and night to offering companionship and care to the grieving King, who had lost all his sons in the war. Even the learned Kachara, the mighty bowman and brother-in-law of Dronacharya, rendered his service to Dritarashtra with heartfelt devotion.
In this nurturing environment, the elderly King and Queen lived in peace, cherished by their family. Sage Vas often visited, sharing profound tales of rishis, demigods, and rakshasas. Under Dritarashtra’s guidance, Vidura managed religious duties and the administration of law with exceptional wisdom. His governance brought prosperity to the Pandavas’ kingdom, ensuring excellent services from allies with minimal expenditure. Dritarashtra, demonstrating immense magnanimity, freed many prisoners and pardoned those condemned to death. True to his nature, Yudhishthira raised no objections to these acts of mercy.
Dritarashtra continued to be served with the attentiveness he had known in his days as King Pandu’s son. Yudhishthira sought out rare garlands and regal garments for his uncle, ensuring that the King received the same royal treatment he had before the war. Visiting rulers continued to pay him the respect he had always commanded. Gandhari, too, was cared for with devotion, her dignity honored by Kunti, who served her as an elder deserving utmost respect. Kunti, Draupadi, Subhadra, Ulupi, Chitrangada, and the other women of the Pandava household followed her example, showing affection and reverence as though Dritarashtra and Gandhari were their own parents-in-law.
Yudhishthira instructed his brothers to ensure that Dritarashtra, who had already endured the loss of his sons, should not suffer any further grief. The Pandavas obeyed diligently, though Bhima, despite outward respect, harbored resentment, unable to forgive the King for past suffering and the calamities following the dice game.
Dritarashtra spent his days engaging with sages, honoring them, and making generous donations to Brahmins, assisted always by Yudhishthira. There was no cruelty in Yudhishthira’s heart; he remained content, declaring that King Dritarashtra must be respected by all—obedience would earn friendship, disobedience, punishment. On anniversaries of his father, grandfather, and deceased sons, Dritarashtra donated wealth to Brahmins, guided by his discretion, while Gandhari performed rituals to honor their departed sons. The Pandavas ensured that these ceremonies were conducted with care and devotion, reflecting both duty and affection.
Yudhishthira undertook every task, large or small, as instructed by Gandhari and Dritarashtra. This dedication reminded Dritarashtra of his late son Duryodhana, stirring feelings of regret and compassion. To atone for past grievances and secure the kingdom’s prosperity, he performed numerous havans, praying for the long life of the Pandavas. Gradually, the devotion and humility of his nephews softened Dritarashtra’s heart. Under their care, Gandhari began to relinquish her grief, embracing the Pandavas as her own sons.
Yet, Bhima’s heart remained burdened. He could not entirely forgive Dritarashtra and, at times, acted in ways that distressed the elderly King. Once, amidst his companions, he boasted of his mighty arms that had vanquished the sons of the Blind King, words that pierced Dritarashtra and Gandhari with sharp sorrow. While Gandhari accepted the transient nature of life, Dritarashtra sank further into despair. Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Draupadi, Kunti, Nakula, and Sahadeva continued their devoted service, shielding the King and Queen from pain.
Clad in deer skin, Dritarashtra spent his quiet hours in meditation, consuming only minimal sustenance. Gandhari shared his vow, concealing their austerity from Yudhishthira to spare him worry. Eventually, with a voice heavy with sorrow, Dritarashtra revealed his desire for renunciation, seeking permission to retire to the forest with Gandhari, following the path of their ancestors. Yudhishthira, overwhelmed by guilt, offered to accompany them, yet Dritarashtra insisted the time had come for him alone to embrace vanaprastha.
Before departing, Dritarashtra organized grand rituals for his departed sons, seeking assistance from Yudhishthira and Arjuna. Overcome with reverence, they offered full support. Bhima, still harboring resentment, initially opposed the act, but Arjuna urged him to rise above past grievances. The rituals were conducted with devotion, lasting ten days, with lavish gifts distributed to Brahmins, sages, and the needy. Dritarashtra fulfilled his duties, ensuring no one left empty-handed, marking the completion of his worldly responsibilities.
On the eleventh day, under the full moon of Kartika, Dritarashtra and Gandhari, wrapped in bark and deer skin, prepared for their final journey into the forest. They honored their household, bestowed gifts upon their attendants, and bade farewell, embodying the spirit of renunciation. The Pandavas, along with the women of the household, embraced them with deep respect and heartfelt compassion, exemplifying dharma and familial devotion.
Dritarashtra’s final acts of charity and devotion underscored timeless values: honoring the departed, nurturing enduring relationships, and embracing the inevitable cycle of life. Yudhishthira’s unwavering commitment to dharma, empathy, and generosity shone as a beacon of true greatness, reminding all that real strength lies not in power or wealth, but in forgiveness, selfless service, and the fulfillment of duty.
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