Shloka 23
Jatugṛha-dāhānantara-vṛttāntaḥ
Aftermath of the Lac House Fire
कुन्त्याश्व प्रत्यभिज्ञाय दिव्यलक्षणसूचितम् । पुत्रमज्ेश्वरं स्नेहाच्छन्ना प्रीतिरजायत,दिव्य लक्षणोंसे लक्षित अपने पुत्र अंगराज कर्णको पहचानकर कुन्तीके मनमें बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुई; किंतु वह दूसरोंपर प्रकट न हुई
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Kuntī aśvam pratyabhijñāya divya-lakṣaṇa-sūcitam | putram ajñeśvaraṃ snehāc channā prītir ajāyata ||
قال فَيْشَمْبايَنَة: «ولمّا عرفت كُنْتي العلاماتِ الإلهيةَ الدالّة، أدركتُ أنّها تشير إلى ابنها. فنهض في قلبها—بدافع حنان الأم—فرحٌ عميق، غير أنّها كتمته ولم تُبدِه للآخرين.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between inner truth and outward restraint: Kuntī’s maternal recognition and joy are real, yet she suppresses public expression, suggesting how social duty, fear of consequences, or dharma-based prudence can compel concealment even of rightful emotions.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kuntī recognizes a horse distinguished by divine marks and, through that sign, identifies her son (understood as Karṇa, the Aṅgarāja). She feels intense happiness, but keeps it hidden from others.