Shloka 22
Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata
रेतोधा: पुत्रो नयति नरदेव यमक्षयात् । त्वं चास्य धाता गर्भस्य सत्यमाह शकुन्तला ॥ २२ ॥
reto-dhāḥ putro nayati naradeva yama-kṣayāt tvaṁ cāsya dhātā garbhasya satyam āha śakuntalā
O King Duṣmanta, he who gives the seed is the true father, and the son delivers him from the jurisdiction of Yamarāja. You are the real begetter of this child; Śakuntalā speaks the truth.
Upon hearing the omen, Mahārāja Duṣmanta accepted his wife and child. According to Vedic smṛti:
FAQs
This verse states that the son born from the king’s seed can deliver him from Yama’s realm, reflecting the Vedic idea that righteous progeny supports the father’s onward journey and ancestral obligations.
In the narrative, Duṣyanta doubts Śakuntalā; Śukadeva (describing the event) confirms that the child is truly the king’s and that Śakuntalā spoke truth, emphasizing dharma and responsibility.
It highlights accountability: one should accept responsibility for family and dependents, uphold truth, and live dharmically so that one’s legacy benefits others rather than causing harm.