Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.49.17
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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vaicitravīrya
—
O son of Vicitravīrya
Patronymic. Both Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Pāṇḍu were nominally Vicitravīrya's sons (begotten by Vyāsa through niyoga). Akrūra's address subtly reminds him: you and your brother share one father, so why split his sons?
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kīrti-vardhana
—
O you who increase the Kurus' glory
Compound: kīrti (glory) + vardhana (increaser). A formal title that, given everything the chapter has just narrated, lands almost as gentle irony — Akrūra calls him to the role he is failing.
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bhrātari uparate
—
your brother having passed away
Locative absolute, perfect tense. Uparata literally 'ceased, withdrawn.' The clause that justifies Dhṛtarāṣṭra's regency — and silently obliges him to protect his brother's sons.
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āsanam āsthitaḥ
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have assumed the throne
Āsana (seat) + ā-sthita (firmly seated). The throne is named as borrowed, not owned — Dhṛtarāṣṭra holds it because Pāṇḍu vacated it, a regency in trust for the next generation.
Akrūra was speaking ironically, since the young sons of Pāṇḍu should actually have been occupying the throne. Upon the death of Pāṇḍu, they were too young to immediately govern and so were put in Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s care, but now sufficient time had passed, and their legitimate rights should have been recognized.
"With the passing away of your brother, you are now sitting on the throne." By this he suggests, "As the sons of Pandu are alive, you are sitting on the throne unjustly."
He spoke with conciliation and sarcasm. He repeats the word bho bho to make the king attentively face him since it was possible the king would resist, since Akrūra’s words would not be sweet. By mentioning Vicitraviīrya’s name he employs pacification, by suggesting he was the son of a great king. Since Pāṇdu had died, there was no king to protect the citizens. For a long time since he died, you have been sitting on the throne (adhunā). This is proper. Or because you came from Vicitravīya you have great prowess, and unlawfully immediately took his kingdom. He calls him the great fame of the Kurus out of sarcasm. The meaning is “Because of you the dynasty has become infamous.” Or you divide up the fame of the Kurus. Since his father died, Yudhiṣṭhira is qualified for the throne. The younger brother should not take the kingdom.
- Where could acknowledging another's title soften the truth that follows?
- How do you maintain civility while delivering accusation?
Akrūra opens not with rebuke but with formal honour — naming Dhṛtarāṣṭra's lineage, his late brother, his throne — the way a wise elder washes the foot before applying the salve. The respect is real, but every word also reminds the king that he sits where Pāṇḍu once sat.
My note
Source: vedabase.io