Shloka 20
Śārṅgakānāṃ Avināśaḥ (Why the Śārṅga Birds Were Spared) | शार्ङ्गकानामविनाशः
साधिकं तेन रूपेण शोभमाना यशस्विनी । भवन श्रेष्ठमासाद्य वीरपत्नी वराजड़्नना,वीरपत्नी, वरांगना एवं यशस्विनी सुभद्रा उस वेशमें और अधिक शोभा पाने लगी। उसकी आँखें विशाल और कुछ-कुछ लाल थीं। उस यशस्विनीने सुन्दर राजभवनके भीतर जाकर राजमाता कुन्तीके चरणोंमें प्रणाम किया। कुन्ती उस सर्वांगसुन्दरी पुत्र-वधूको हृदयसे लगाकर उसका मस्तक सूँघने लगी
sādhikaṃ tena rūpeṇa śobhamānā yaśasvinī | bhavana-śreṣṭham āsādya vīra-patnī varāṅganā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In that very attire, the illustrious lady shone with even greater beauty. Reaching the finest of palaces, that noble woman—the wife of a hero—entered within and bowed at the feet of Queen-mother Kuntī. Kuntī embraced her with heartfelt affection and, in a gesture of maternal blessing, smelled her head—welcoming her as a daughter-in-law with tenderness and propriety.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic conduct within the family: a new bride approaches elders with humility (bowing at the feet), and the elder responds with affectionate acceptance and blessing (embrace and smelling the head), reinforcing respect, welcome, and social harmony.
Subhadrā, described as radiant in her attire, arrives at the royal palace and pays respects to Queen-mother Kuntī. Kuntī warmly receives her, embracing her as a daughter-in-law and offering a maternal blessing.