Shloka 21
Mātali’s Proposal for Guṇakeśī and Sumukha’s Audience with Indra
प्रणिधानेन धैर्येण रूपेण वयसा च मे । मन: प्रविष्टो देवर्षे गुणकेश्या: पतिर्वर:,देवर्ष! यह अपनी एकाग्रता, धैर्य, रूप तथा तरुण अवस्थाके कारण मेरे मनमें समा गया है। यही गुणकेशीका श्रेष्ठ पति होनेके योग्य है
praṇidhānena dhairyeṇa rūpeṇa vayasā ca me | manaḥ praviṣṭo devarṣe guṇakeśyāḥ patir varaḥ ||
Kaṇva said: “O divine seer, by his single-pointed attentiveness, steadfast courage, pleasing form, and youthful vigor, he has entered my heart. O devarṣi, he is indeed the most fitting and excellent husband for Guṇakeśī.”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a dharmic criterion for judging suitability: inner discipline (praṇidhāna) and steadfastness (dhairya) are placed alongside outward qualities like appearance and youth. Ethical approval is grounded in perceived virtue and fitness for responsibility, not merely attraction.
Kaṇva addresses a devarṣi and expresses his personal conviction that a particular man has won his heart through notable qualities. On that basis, Kaṇva declares him the best and most appropriate husband for Guṇakeśī.