Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्र–दुर्योधन संवादः
Vāraṇāvata-vivāsana-nīti: Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Duryodhana’s Policy Dialogue
ततः संवर्धयामास संस्कारैश्वाप्पपोजयत् । प्रातीपेयो नरश्रेष्ठो मिथुनं गौतमस्य तत्,तदनन्तर नरश्रेष्ठ प्रतीपनन्दन शन्तनुने शरद्वानुके उन दोनों बालकोंका पालन-पोषण किया और यथासमय उन्हें सब संस्कारोंसे सम्पन्न किया
tataḥ saṃvardhayāmāsa saṃskāraiś cāpy apūjayat | prātīpeyo naraśreṣṭho mithunaṃ gautamasya tat ||
قال فايشامبايانا: ثم إنّ النبيل من نسلِ براتِيپا (أي الملك شانتانو) قام بتربية ذلك الزوج من أبناءِ غوتَما، يرعاهم ويكرمهم؛ وفي الأوقات المقرّرة أتمّ لهم السَّمْسْكارا (saṃskāra)، أي الطقوس المأثورة لصقل النفس وتهذيبها.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s dharma as guardian: true care includes completing saṃskāras—timely rites and education that cultivate virtue, social responsibility, and disciplined character, not merely providing food and shelter.
After the preceding events, King Pratīpa raises a pair associated with Gautama, honoring them and ensuring they undergo the appropriate saṃskāras at the proper times, indicating their formal integration into a protected and ethically guided life.