Shloka 11
अर्जुनस्य प्रतिघातः — श्रुताय्वच्युतायुवधः तथा गजसैन्यविदारणम्
Arjuna’s Counterstroke: Slaying of Śrutāyu and Acyutāyu; Breaking the Elephant Corps
इष्ट्वा शाकुन्तलो राजा तर्पयित्वा द्विजान् धनै: । सहस्रं यत्र पद्मानां कण्वाय भरतो ददौ
iṣṭvā śākuntalo rājā tarpayitvā dvijān dhanaiḥ | sahasraṃ yatra padmānāṃ kaṇvāya bharato dadau ||
Nārada said: Having performed the prescribed rites, King Bharata—the son of Śakuntalā—satisfied the twice-born (brāhmaṇas) with gifts of wealth. In that very context, he bestowed upon Kaṇva a thousand lotus-flowers, marking his reverence for the sage and his commitment to righteous generosity.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma expressed through yajña and dāna: a king upholds social and spiritual order by performing rites and by honoring sages and brāhmaṇas with appropriate gifts, showing gratitude, humility, and commitment to dharma.
Nārada recounts Bharata’s righteous conduct: after completing ritual worship, he gratifies the dvijas with wealth and, on that occasion, gives Kaṇva a notable offering—one thousand lotus-flowers—signifying reverence toward the sage associated with Śakuntalā’s lineage.