Satyavatī’s Disclosure and the Summoning of Vyāsa
Niyoga for Kuru Succession
स तस्या: शीलवृत्तेन रूपौदार्यगुणेन च । उपचारेण च रहस्तुतोष जगतीपति:,उसके उत्तम शील-स्वभाव, सदाचार, रूप, उदारता, सदगुण तथा एकान्त सेवासे महाराज शान्तनु बहुत संतुष्ट रहते थे
sa tasyāḥ śīlavṛttena rūpaudāryaguṇena ca | upacāreṇa ca rahas tutoṣa jagatīpatiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By her noble character and conduct—by her beauty, generosity, and virtues—and also by her attentive service in private, the lord of the earth, King Śāntanu, remained greatly pleased and content with her.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of household life: enduring affection and stability arise from śīla (good character), vṛtta (right conduct), guṇa (virtues), and considerate upacāra (attentive care). It implies that inner qualities and respectful behavior are central to harmony, even more than status or power.
The narrator states that King Śāntanu, described as jagatīpati, is deeply satisfied with his wife because of her exemplary character, proper conduct, beauty, generosity, virtues, and her devoted personal attendance in private.