Shloka 10
Satyavatī’s Disclosure and the Summoning of Vyāsa
Niyoga for Kuru Succession
सम्भोगस्नेहचातुर्यर्हावभावसमन्वितै: । राजानं रमयामास यथा रेमे तथैव स:,गंगादेवी हाव-भावसे युक्त सम्भोग-चातुरी और प्रणय-चातुरीसे राजाको जैसे-जैसे रमातीं, उसी-उसी प्रकार वे उनके साथ रमण करते थे
saṃbhoga-sneha-cāturyair hāva-bhāva-samanvitaiḥ | rājānaṃ ramayāmāsa yathā reme tathaiva saḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Endowed with the arts of love and affection, and skilled in graceful gestures and expressions, the goddess Gaṅgā delighted the king; and in the very manner she sported with him, so too did he respond, sharing in that same intimacy.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights mutuality in intimate relationships: affection and skillful, considerate expression evoke a corresponding response. Ethically, it frames desire as reciprocal and relational rather than coercive, situated within a royal-marital narrative.
Gaṅgā, using affectionate intimacy and graceful amorous expressions, delights King Śāntanu; he, in turn, participates and responds in the same manner, indicating a period of mutual enjoyment between them.