Shloka 21
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
प्रेषयिष्ये तवार्थाय वाहिनी चतुरद्धिणीम् । तया त्वानाययिष्यामि निवासं स्व शुचिस्मिते,'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'
vaiśampāyana uvāca | preṣayiṣye tavārthāya vāhinīṃ catur-aṅgiṇīm | tayā tvān ānayīṣyāmi nivāsaṃ svaṃ śuci-smite, suśroṇi |
Vaiśampāyana said: “For your sake I shall dispatch a fourfold army. With it I will have you brought to my own residence, O you of pure smile, O fair-hipped one.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma includes protecting and publicly acknowledging his lawful wife: Duṣyanta’s promise of a fourfold army symbolizes responsibility, security, and the intent to integrate Śakuntalā into the royal household with honor.
After marrying Śakuntalā according to proper rites, Duṣyanta reassures her that he will send a full royal escort (the fourfold army) and bring her to his palace, emphasizing safe conveyance and royal recognition.