Dhṛtarāshṭra (Pañcāla King)

Dhṛtarāshṭra was a king of Pañcāla, an ancient and respected kingdom in northern India. The Mahābhārata names him in the Baka-Dālbya Upākhyāna (the account of Baka-Dālbya) in the Śalya Parva, Chapter 44.

The name Dhṛtarāshṭra means “he who holds the kingdom together”. Many kings in the Mahābhārata tradition, from different dynasties, bear this name.

Teaching from Baka-Dālbya

This king came to the āśrama (hermitage) of the ṛshi Baka-Dālbya on the Sarasvatī. He wanted to learn rājadharma, the duties of a king.

Baka-Dālbya taught him by dṛshṭānta, an example from daily life. He used the picture of a milch cow and her calf. A king must not take from his people more than they can bear. In the same way, a calf must leave enough milk for the cow’s own strength and renewal.

Not to be confused with

This Pañcāla king is a different person from two others with the same name:

• Dhṛtarāshṭra, the blind Kaurava king, father of Duryodhana.
• Dhṛtarāshṭra, a nāga chief who is mentioned elsewhere in the Mahābhārata.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 44 (Baka-Dālbya Upākhyāna)