Shloka 21
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
तस्मात् सारस्वत: पुत्रो महांस्ते वरवर्णिनि । तवैव नाम्ना प्रथित:ः पुत्रस्ते लोकभावन:,“महाभागे! तुम पूर्वकालमें ब्रह्माजीके सरोवरसे प्रकट हुई हो। सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ सरस्वती! कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले मुनि तुम्हारी महिमाको जानते हैं। प्रियदर्शने! तुम सदा मेरा भी प्रिय करती रही हो; अतः वरवर्णिनि! तुम्हारा यह लोकभावन महान पुत्र तुम्हारे ही नामपर “सारस्वत” कहलायेगा
tasmāt sārasvataḥ putro mahāṁs te varavarṇini | tavaiva nāmnā prathitaḥ putras te lokabhāvanaḥ |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Therefore, O fair-complexioned lady, this great son of yours shall be known as ‘Sārasvata’, famed by your very name. He is a benefactor of the worlds.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal that true greatness is measured by lokabhāvanā—benefiting and sustaining the world. It also underscores the cultural value of naming as a marker of origin, identity, and responsibility: the son’s name ‘Sārasvata’ ties him to Sarasvatī and to the expectation of world-welfare.
Vaiśaṃpāyana explains that a great son will be publicly known by the name derived from Sarasvatī—‘Sārasvata’—and characterizes him as lokabhāvana, one who promotes the good of the worlds, thereby affirming his eminence and the significance of his maternal association.