Shloka 18
आदि पर्व — अध्याय ८३: ययाति-इन्द्र-संवादः तथा अष्टक-प्रश्नः
Yayāti–Indra Dialogue and Aṣṭaka’s Inquiry
दृष्टवा तु तेषां बालानां प्रणयं पार्थिवं प्रति । बुद्ध्वा च तत्त्वं सा देवी शर्मिष्ठामिदमब्रवीत्,उन बालकोंका राजाके प्रति विशेष प्रेम देखकर देवयानी सारा रहस्य समझ गयी और शर्मिष्ठासे इस प्रकार बोली
dṛṣṭvā tu teṣāṃ bālānāṃ praṇayaṃ pārthivaṃ prati | buddhvā ca tattvaṃ sā devī śarmiṣṭhām idam abravīt ||
ولمّا رأت دِفَياني ذلك الودّ الخاص الذي يكنّه الغلمان للملك، وأدركت حقيقة الأمر، فهمت السِّرّ المستور، ثم خاطبت شارميشثا على هذا النحو—لتدفع الحكاية إلى محاسبةٍ أخلاقية في ضوء الدَّرما، تتعلّق بالولاء والنفوذ وعواقب المقاصد المضمَرة.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment: by observing patterns of attachment and loyalty, one can infer concealed truths. It suggests that hidden motives in relationships—especially around power—eventually become legible through conduct, prompting accountability.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Devayānī notices the boys’ unusual fondness toward the king. From this sign she understands the underlying reality of the situation and then addresses Śarmiṣṭhā, setting up a consequential exchange.