Shloka 18
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
अज्ञायमानापि सती सुखमस्म्युषिता त्वयि । सर्वकामै: सुविहिता रक्षयमाणा सदा त्वया,“माँ! यद्यपि तुम मुझे पहचानती नहीं थी, तब भी मैं तुम्हारे यहाँ बड़े सुखसे रही हूँ। तुमने मेरी इच्छानुसार सारी सुविधाएँ कर दीं और सदा तुम्हारे द्वारा मेरी रक्षा होती रही
ajñāyamānāpi satī sukham asmy uṣitā tvayi | sarvakāmaiḥ suvihitā rakṣyamāṇā sadā tvayā ||
«يا أمّاه—وإن كنتِ لم تعرفي حقيقتي، فقد أقمتُ في داركِ في راحة. هيّأتِ لي كل ما أشتهي من أسباب العيش، وكنتِ على الدوام تحمينني.»
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical gratitude and the dharmic value of protection and hospitality: even without full knowledge of a person’s identity, caring for them well and safeguarding them is virtuous, and the recipient should acknowledge that care with humility and thanks.
The speaker addresses a woman as “Mother,” stating that although she did not recognize the speaker’s true identity, the speaker lived comfortably in her home, received all needed arrangements, and was continually protected by her.