Shloka 1
Kurukṣetra–Samantapañcaka Māhātmya: King Kuru’s Ploughing and Indra’s Boon (प्रजापतेरुत्तरवेदिः समन्तपञ्चकं)
ऑपन-आक्रात बछ। चर: द्विपञज्चाशत्तमो<ड ध्याय: वृद्ध कन्याका चरित्र, शृंगवानके साथ उसका विवाह और स्वर्गगमन तथा उस तीर्थका माहात्म्य जनमेजय उवाच कथं कुमारी भगवंस्तपोयुक्ता हाभूत् पुरा । किमर्थ च तपस्तेपे को वास्या नियमो5भवत्,जनमेजयने पूछा--भगवन्! पूर्वकालमें वह कुमारी तपस्यामें क्यों संलग्न हुई? उसने किसलिये तपस्या की और उसका कौन-सा नियम था?
Janamejaya uvāca: kathaṁ kumārī bhagavaṁs tapoyuktābhūt purā? kimarthaṁ ca tapas tepe? ko vāsyā niyamo 'bhavat?
Janamejaya said: “Revered sir, how did that maiden in former times become devoted to austerity? For what purpose did she undertake penance, and what rule or discipline did she observe?”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: before judging an act of austerity, one should ask its purpose (artha) and its discipline (niyama). Tapas is presented not as mere hardship, but as a regulated practice guided by intention and vows.
Janamejaya, listening to a sacred account, asks the sage to explain the backstory of a maiden: why she undertook penance in ancient times and what specific observances she followed—setting up the ensuing narrative about her life, marriage, ascent to heaven, and the glory of the associated tīrtha.