Shloka 17
अध्याय ९५: चित्राङ्गदस्य गन्धर्वेण सह संग्रामः तथा विचित्रवीर्यस्य राज्याभिषेकः
Chitrāṅgada’s duel with the Gandharva and Vicitravīrya’s consecration
रथन्तर्या सुतान् पज्च पञज्चभूतोपमांस्तत: । ईलिनो जनयामास दुष्यन्तप्रभूृतीन् नृूपान्,ईलिनने रथन्तरी नामवाली अपनी पत्नीके गर्भसे पंच महाभूतोंके समान दुष्यन्त आदि पाँच राजपुत्रोंको पुत्ररूपमें उत्पन्न किया
rathantaryā sutān pañca pañcabhūtopamāṁs tataḥ | ilino janayāmāsa duṣyantaprabhṛtīn nṛpān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: From Rathantarī, Ilina begot five sons—princes comparable to the five great elements—beginning with Duṣyanta.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dynastic continuity as a dharmic foundation of kingship: legitimate succession and the orderly transmission of rule are portrayed as stabilizing forces, likened to the elemental supports of the world.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a genealogical detail: King Ilina, through his wife Rathantarī, fathers five sons, among whom Duṣyanta is named first, establishing the next generation of rulers in the lineage.