Shloka 9
Āstīka-janma: Vāsuki’s Consolation and the Birth/Naming of Āstīka (अस्तीकोत्पत्तिः)
ततः स राजा प्रददौ वपुष्टमां कुरुप्रवीराय परीक्ष्य धर्मत: । स चापि तां प्राप्प मुदायुतो5भव- न्न चान्यनारीषु मनोदथे क्वचित्,काशिराजने धर्मकी दृष्टिसे भलीभाँति जाँच-पड़ताल करके अपनी कन्या वपुष्टमाका विवाह कुरुकुलके श्रेष्ठ वीर जनमेजयके साथ कर दिया। जनमेजयने भी वपुष्टमाको पाकर बड़ी प्रसन्नताका अनुभव किया और दूसरी स्त्रियोंकी ओर कभी अपने मनको नहीं जाने दिया
tataḥ sa rājā pradadau vapuṣṭamāṃ kurupravīrāya parīkṣya dharmataḥ | sa cāpi tāṃ prāpya mudāyuto 'bhavan na cānyanārīṣu manodadhe kvacit ||
Then that king, having examined the matter in accordance with dharma, gave his daughter Vapuṣṭamā in marriage to Janamejaya, the foremost hero of the Kuru line. Janamejaya too, on obtaining her, became filled with joy, and he never at any time set his mind upon other women.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in royal decision-making (careful, righteous examination before giving a daughter in marriage) and presents marital fidelity as a valued ethical commitment for a king.
A king (identified in the accompanying tradition as the King of Kāśi) gives his daughter Vapuṣṭamā to Janamejaya after due dharmic consideration; Janamejaya rejoices and remains devoted to her, not turning his mind to other women.