Shloka 13
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
धर्मात्मा स मनुर्धीमान् यत्र वंश: प्रतिष्ठित: । मनोर्वशो मानवानां ततो<यं प्रथितो5भवत्,धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं कीर्तयिष्यामि तेडनघ । वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--निष्पाप जनमेजय! अब मैं दक्ष प्रजापति, वैवस्वत मनु, भरत, कुरु, पूर, अजमीढ, यादव, कौरव तथा भरतवंशियोंकी कुल-परम्पराका तुमसे वर्णन करूँगा। उनका कुल परम पवित्र, महान् मंगलकारी तथा धन, यश और आयुकी प्राप्ति करानेवाला है बुद्धिमान् मनु बड़े धर्मात्मा थे, जिनपर सूर्यवंशकी प्रतिष्ठा हुई। मानवोंसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला यह मनुवंश उन्हींसे विख्यात हुआ
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
dharmātmā sa manur dhīmān yatra vaṁśaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ |
manor vaṁśo mānavānāṁ tato 'yaṁ prathito 'bhavat |
dhanyaṁ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṁ kīrtayiṣyāmi te 'nagha |
Vaiśampāyana said: “That wise Manu was truly devoted to dharma, and upon him the royal lineage found its firm foundation. From Manu this line of humankind became renowned. O sinless one, I shall recount to you this blessed genealogy—famed and auspicious—bestowing prosperity, good repute, and long life.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames genealogy as ethically meaningful: a dynasty is legitimate and enduring when founded upon a dharmic, wise ancestor (Manu). Recounting such a lineage is presented as auspicious and beneficial—promoting prosperity, fame, and longevity—because it connects listeners to a moral and sacred heritage.
Vaiśampāyana, speaking to Janamejaya, announces that he will narrate the celebrated human lineage beginning with Manu. He emphasizes Manu’s righteousness and wisdom as the foundation of the vaṁśa and signals that the forthcoming genealogical account is considered auspicious to hear.