Shloka 21
Śukra’s Ultimatum and Devayānī’s Demand (शुक्र-प्रतिज्ञा तथा देवयानी-वर-याचना)
सनत्कुमारस्तं राजन् ब्रह्मलोकादुपेत्य ह,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 जनमेजय! ब्रह्मतोकसे सनत्कुमारजीने आकर उन्हें बहुत समझाया और ब्राह्मणोंपर अत्याचार न करनेका उपदेश दिया, किंतु वे उनकी शिक्षा ग्रहण न कर सके। तब क्रोधमें भरे हुए महर्षियोंने तत्काल उन्हें शाप दे दिया, जिससे वे नष्ट हो गये
sanatkumāras taṃ rājan brahmalokād upetya ha | dhanyaṃ yaśasyam āyuṣyaṃ kīrtayiṣyāmi te 'nagha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, the sage Sanatkumāra, having come from Brahmaloka, spoke to him. O sinless one, I shall recount to you a lineage that is blessed, fame-bestowing, and conducive to long life.” (In context, the narration frames a sacred dynastic account as ethically potent, and recalls how divine counsel—especially the warning not to oppress Brahmins—was given but not accepted, leading to ruin through the sages’ curse.)
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sacred history and dynastic narration are presented as ethically transformative (bringing auspiciousness, fame, and longevity), while the surrounding context stresses righteous kingship—especially heeding wise counsel and refraining from harming Brahmins—since ignoring such instruction leads to downfall.
Vaiśampāyana addresses King Janamejaya and signals that he will recount a blessed lineage; within the chapter’s broader frame, Sanatkumāra is remembered as coming from Brahmaloka to admonish a ruler, but the advice was rejected, culminating in destruction through the sages’ curse.