Shloka 23
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
पुण्याभ्यश्व सरिद्धयस्त्वं सदा पुण्यतमा शुभे
puṇyābhyāśva sariddhayas tvaṃ sadā puṇyatamā śubhe
قال فَيْشَمْبَايَنَة: «أيتها السيدة المباركة، إنكِ على الدوام أسمى الناس استحقاقًا للثواب—فمجرد الاقتراب منكِ يجلب الطهارة والهناء، كما تفعل الأنهار المقدسة التي تمنح الصفاء.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical idea that true auspiciousness is measured by puṇya (merit): a person of steady virtue becomes a source of purification and well-being for others, comparable to sacred rivers.
Vaiśampāyana, as narrator, addresses an auspicious female figure with reverent praise, emphasizing her constant holiness and the beneficial, purifying effect of her presence.