Shloka 9
Āstravidyā-Pradarśana: The Kuru Princes’ Public Demonstration of Arms (आस्त्रविद्या-प्रदर्शनम्)
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः कुन्तीं पुन: पाण्डुविंविक्त इदमब्रवीत् | कुलस्य मम संतानं लोकस्य च कुरु प्रियम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तब राजा पाण्डुने एकान्तमें कुन्तीसे यह बात कही--“कल्याणि! मेरी कुलपरम्पराका विच्छेद न हो और सम्पूर्ण जगत्का प्रिय हो, ऐसा कार्य करो। मेरे तथा अपने पूर्वजोंके लिये पिण्डका अभाव न हो और मेरा भी प्रिय हो, इसके लिये तुम परम उत्तम कल्याणमय कार्य करो
vaiśampāyana uvāca tataḥ kuntīṃ punaḥ pāṇḍur vivikte idam abravīt | kulasya mama santānaṃ lokasya ca kuru priyam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Pāṇḍu, once again, in private, spoke these words to Kuntī: “Ensure that my lineage is continued, and do what will be dear to the world as well.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s personal desire is framed as dharma: safeguarding the continuity of the dynasty (santāna) and acting for the wider good (loka-priya). The verse links private family responsibility with public welfare.
In a secluded setting, King Pāṇḍu addresses Kuntī and urges her to take steps to ensure the continuation of his lineage and to perform an act that will be regarded as beneficial and pleasing to society at large.