Shloka 37
Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata
तं त्यक्तुकामां ममतां भर्तुस्त्यागविशङ्किताम् । नामनिर्वाचनं तस्य श्लोकमेनं सुरा जगु: ॥ ३७ ॥
taṁ tyaktu-kāmāṁ mamatāṁ bhartus tyāga-viśaṅkitām nāma-nirvācanaṁ tasya ślokam enaṁ surā jaguḥ
Fearing that her husband would abandon her for bearing an illegitimate son, Mamatā thought of giving up the child; then the demigods resolved the matter by proclaiming a name for him.
According to Vedic scripture, whenever a child is born there are some ceremonies known as jāta-karma and nāma-karaṇa, in which learned brāhmaṇas, immediately after the birth of the child, make a horoscope according to astrological calculations. But the child to which Mamatā gave birth was begotten by Bṛhaspati irreligiously, for although Mamatā was the wife of Utathya, Bṛhaspati made her pregnant by force. Therefore Bṛhaspati became bhartā. According to Vedic culture, a wife is considered the property of her husband, and a son born by illicit sex is called dvāja. The common word still current in Hindu society for such a son is doglā, which refers to a son not begotten by the husband of his mother. In such a situation, it is difficult to give the child a name according to proper regulative principles. Mamatā, therefore, was perplexed, but the demigods gave the child the appropriate name Bharadvāja, which indicated that the child born illegitimately should be maintained by both Mamatā and Bṛhaspati.
FAQs
This verse highlights mamatā—‘mine’-ness—as a binding attachment, and shows that inner renunciation can be difficult when mixed with fear and insecurity; the narrative frames detachment as a spiritual necessity.
In many Purāṇic episodes, the suras confirm auspicious destiny through blessings and name-declarations; here they sing to proclaim the meaning and bestowal of the name, marking a significant turning point in the story.
Practice reducing possessiveness in relationships and outcomes—serve with care but without control—while addressing fear through dharma, prayer, and steady spiritual identity rather than clinging.