Shloka 2
अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
त्रिषु वर्षेषु पूर्णेषु दीप्तानलसमपद्युतिम् रूपौदार्यगुणोपेतं दौष्पन्तिं जनमेजय,जनमेजय! तदनन्तर पूरे तीन वर्ष व्यतीत होनेके बाद सुन्दर जाँघोंवाली शकुन्तलाने अपने गर्भसे प्रजजलित अग्निके समान तेजस्वी, रूप और उदारता आदि गुणोंसे सम्पन्न, अमित पराक्रमी कुमारको जन्म दिया, जो दुष्यन्तके वीर्यसे उत्पन्न हुआ था
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | triṣu varṣeṣu pūrṇeṣu dīptānalasamapadyutim rūpaudāryaguṇopetaṃ dauṣpantiṃ janamejaya |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: When three years had been completed, O Janamejaya, Śakuntalā gave birth to a son of Duṣyanta’s line—radiant like a blazing fire, endowed with beauty and noble generosity, and marked by great prowess. The narrative underscores the fruition of lawful lineage and the emergence of a worthy heir whose virtues are presented as signs of destined kingship.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the birth of a royal heir as the fruition of rightful lineage and virtue: the child’s splendor and qualities (beauty, generosity, prowess) are presented as ethical and political markers of fitness for kingship, aligning personal excellence with dharmic continuity.
After three years have passed, Śakuntalā gives birth to a son connected to Duṣyanta’s line, described as fire-like in radiance and rich in noble qualities; Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates this to King Janamejaya.