Shloka 28
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
धर्मात्मा च महात्मा च दुष्यन्तः पुरुषोत्तम: । अध्यगच्छ: पतिं यत् त्वं भजमानं शकुन्तले,“शकुन्तले! महामना दुष्यन्त धर्मात्मा और श्रेष्ठ पुरुष हैं। वे तुम्हें चाहते थे। तुमने योग्य पतिके साथ सम्बन्ध स्थापित किया है; इसलिये लोकमें तुम्हारे गर्भसे एक महाबली और महात्मा पुत्र उत्पन्न होगा, जो समुद्रसे घिरी हुई इस समूची पृथ्वीका उपभोग करेगा
dharmātmā ca mahātmā ca duṣyantaḥ puruṣottamaḥ | adhyagacchaḥ patiṁ yat tvaṁ bhajamānaṁ śakuntale ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Dushyanta is righteous-souled and great-souled, a foremost among men. Since you, Śakuntalā, have obtained him as your husband—one who was devoted to you—you have entered into union with a worthy spouse. Therefore, a mighty and noble son will be born from your womb, and he will rule and enjoy this entire earth, girdled by the ocean.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A union aligned with dharma—choosing a worthy, righteous partner and honoring marital commitment—becomes the ground for social stability and future greatness; personal virtue in rulers is presented as the seed of legitimate sovereignty.
Vaiśampāyana praises King Duṣyanta’s virtue and affirms Śakuntalā’s choice of him as husband, then foretells that she will bear a powerful son destined to rule the whole earth.