Shloka 4
Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata
ऋतेयुस्तस्य कक्षेयु: स्थण्डिलेयु: कृतेयुक: । जलेयु: सन्नतेयुश्च धर्मसत्यव्रतेयव: ॥ ४ ॥ दशैतेऽप्सरस: पुत्रा वनेयुश्चावम: स्मृत: । घृताच्यामिन्द्रियाणीव मुख्यस्य जगदात्मन: ॥ ५ ॥
ṛteyus tasya kakṣeyuḥ sthaṇḍileyuḥ kṛteyukaḥ jaleyuḥ sannateyuś ca dharma-satya-vrateyavaḥ
Raudrāśva had ten sons—Ṛteyu, Kakṣeyu, Sthaṇḍileyu, Kṛteyuka, Jaleyu, Sannateyu, Dharmeyu, Satyeyu, Vrateyu, and Vaneyu—of whom Vaneyu was the youngest. All were born of the apsarā Ghṛtācī, and as the ten senses move under the rule of the universal life, so these sons acted wholly under their father Raudrāśva’s control.
FAQs
This verse highlights that noble kings and their heirs are praised for being established in dharma (righteous duty), satya (truth), and vrata (disciplined vows), showing that character is central to a blessed lineage.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while narrating the royal genealogies and the virtues of descendants in the Puru dynasty.
Adopt steady truthfulness, keep clear personal vows (like daily japa, honesty, and disciplined habits), and align duties with dharma—small consistent observances shape spiritual strength.