Shloka 2
Śakuntalā’s Satya-Discourse and the Recognition of Bharata (शकुन्तला–सत्योपदेशः; भरतप्रतिग्रहः)
दुष्यन्तेन च वीरेण यथा प्राप्ता शकुन्तला | त॑ वै पुरुषसिंहस्य भगवन् विस्तरं त्वहम्
janamejaya uvāca | duṣyantena ca vīreṇa yathā prāptā śakuntalā | taṁ vai puruṣasiṁhasya bhagavan vistaraṁ tv aham |
Janamejaya said: “Revered sir, please tell me in full detail how Śakuntalā came to be obtained—won as wife—by the heroic Duṣyanta, that lion among men; for I wish to hear the complete account.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the dharmic pursuit of knowledge: a king respectfully seeks a complete, truthful account from a venerable authority. It highlights that understanding lineage and righteous conduct requires careful hearing (śravaṇa) and attention to detail, not rumor or partial narratives.
King Janamejaya asks the sage to narrate in full how the heroic King Duṣyanta came to marry/obtain Śakuntalā. This request introduces the detailed telling of their meeting and union, a key episode connected with royal lineage.