Shloka 18
Satyavatī’s Disclosure and the Summoning of Vyāsa
Niyoga for Kuru Succession
अहं गड्जा जह्ुसुता महर्षिगणसेविता । देवकार्यार्थसिद्धार्थमुषिताहं त्वया सह,मैं जह्ुकी पुत्री और महर्षियोंद्वारा सेवित गंगा हूँ। देवताओंका कार्य सिद्ध करनेके लिये तुम्हारे साथ रह रही थी
ahaṃ gaṅgā jahnu-sutā maharṣi-gaṇa-sevitā | deva-kāryārtha-siddhy-artham uṣitāhaṃ tvayā saha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “I am Gaṅgā, the daughter of Jahnu, revered and attended by hosts of great seers. I have been dwelling with you so that the gods’ purpose may be fulfilled.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames personal relationships within a larger dharmic and cosmic order: even intimate human events can serve a divine purpose (deva-kārya), suggesting that duty and providence may underlie seemingly private choices.
Gaṅgā identifies herself—by her epithet as Jahnu’s daughter and as one honored by sages—and explains that her staying with the king is not merely personal but intended to accomplish the gods’ objective within the unfolding story.