Shloka 15
Adhyāya 71: Kaca and the Saṃjīvanī-vidyā
Devayānī–Śukra Episode
कण्वस्याहं भगवतो दुष्यन्त दुहिता मता | तपस्विनो धृतिमतो धर्मज्ञस्य महात्मन:,“महाराज दुष्यन्त! मैं तपस्वी, धृतिमान्, धर्मज्ञ तथा महात्मा भगवान् कण्वकी पुत्री मानी जाती हूँ
kaṇvasyāhaṃ bhagavato duṣyanta duhitā matā | tapasvino dhṛtimato dharmajñasya mahātmanaḥ ||
“O King Duṣyanta, I am regarded as the daughter of the venerable sage Kaṇva—an ascetic of steadfast resolve, a knower of dharma, and a great-souled man.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of lineage and guardianship: a person’s social identity is anchored in recognized familial responsibility, and the guardian’s virtues—tapas (austerity), dhṛti (steadfastness), and dharmajñatā (knowledge of duty)—legitimate that identity within dharma.
In the Duṣyanta–Śakuntalā episode, the young woman identifies herself to King Duṣyanta by stating that she is acknowledged as the daughter of the revered sage Kaṇva, describing his ascetic and righteous character to establish her standing and credibility.