Shloka 20
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
जग्राह विधिवत् पाणायुवास च तया सह । विश्वास्य चैनां स प्रायादब्रवीच्च पुन: पुन:,'सुश्रोणि! तुम राजभवनमें ही रहनेयोग्य हो। मैं तुमसे यह सच्ची बात कहता हूँ।” ऐसा कहकर राजर्षि दुष्यन्तने अनिन्द्यगामिनी शकुन्तलाका विधिपूर्वक पाणिग्रहण किया और उसके साथ एकान्तवास किया। फिर उसे विश्वास दिलाकर वहाँसे विदा हुए। जाते समय उन्होंने बार-बार कहा--'पवित्र मुसकानवाली सुन्दरी! मैं तुम्हारे लिये चतुरंगिणी सेना भेजूगा और उसीके साथ अपने राजभवनमें बुलवाऊँगा'
jagrāha vidhivat pāṇiṃ uvāsa ca tayā saha | viśvāsya caināṃ sa prāyād abravīc ca punaḥ punaḥ— “suśroṇi! tvaṃ rājabhavane eva sthātum arhasi | ahaṃ tvāṃ satyam etad bravīmi” |
Vaiśampāyana said: King Duṣyanta duly took Śakuntalā’s hand in the proper rite and lived with her in seclusion. Then, having reassured her, he departed from that place. As he went, he spoke again and again: “O fair-hipped one, you are fit to dwell in the royal palace. I tell you this truth.” He further promised that he would send an army escort and have her brought to his palace.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds dharma in intimate and royal conduct: a relationship is framed as legitimate through vidhivat pāṇigrahaṇa (proper hand-taking), and ethical responsibility is shown through reassurance and a promise of safe, honorable transition to the palace—highlighting the king’s duty to protect and publicly acknowledge what is privately undertaken.
Duṣyanta formally marries Śakuntalā by taking her hand according to proper rite, lives with her privately for a time, then departs after consoling her. He repeatedly tells her she belongs in the royal palace and promises to send an escorting fourfold army to bring her there.