Shloka 78
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
एवमुक्तवतीं तां तु प्रीतिमानृषिसत्तम: । उवाच मत्प्रियं कृत्वा कन्यैव त्वं भविष्यसि,सत्यवतीके ऐसा कहनेपर मुनिश्रेष्ठ पराशर प्रसन्न होकर बोले--“भीरु! मेरा प्रिय कार्य करके भी तुम कन्या ही रहोगी। भामिनि! तुम जो चाहो, वह मुझसे वर माँग लो। शुचिस्मिते! आजसे पहले कभी भी मेरा अनुग्रह व्यर्थ नहीं गया है”
evam uktavatīṁ tāṁ tu prītimān ṛṣisattamaḥ | uvāca matpriyaṁ kṛtvā kanyā eva tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When she had spoken thus, the foremost of sages, filled with affection, addressed her: “Even after doing what is dear to me, you shall remain a maiden.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata ethic: when desire risks causing social harm, responsibility is shown through restitution and protection. Paraśara’s boon aims to prevent lasting damage to Satyavatī’s reputation and future, illustrating how power should be paired with accountability.
After Satyavatī speaks (in the preceding context), the sage Paraśara, pleased, promises her that even after fulfilling his wish she will remain a maiden. This is part of the Paraśara–Satyavatī episode leading to the birth of Vyāsa and the granting of boons.