Shloka 12
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
एषोअस्य पुत्रो5भिमत: पुष्कर: पुष्करेक्षण: । रूपवान् दर्शनीयश्व सोमपुत्रया वृत: पति:
eṣo ’sya putro ’bhimataḥ puṣkaraḥ puṣkarekṣaṇaḥ | rūpavān darśanīyaś ca somaputrayā vṛtaḥ patiḥ ||
Kaṇva said: “This is his beloved son, Puṣkara, lotus-eyed. Handsome and pleasing to behold, he has been chosen as husband by Soma’s daughter.”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores socially sanctioned choice in marriage: a worthy person—described as beloved, lotus-eyed, handsome, and admirable—is selected as husband, suggesting that suitability and recognized merit support dharmic union.
Kaṇva introduces Puṣkara as someone’s cherished son and describes his qualities, adding that Soma’s daughter has chosen him as her husband—an announcement that situates Puṣkara’s status and alliance within the story.