Shloka 20

चित्रसेन-समागमः / The Engagement with Citrasena and the Gandharvas

Devanagari script

प्रणयं प्रतिसंहृत्य निधायात्मानमात्मनि । शुश्रूषुर्निरहंमाना पतीनां चित्तरक्षिणी,अपनी इच्छाओंका दमन करके मनको अपने-आपमें ही समेटे हुए केवल सेवाकी इच्छासे ही अपने पतियोंका मन रखती हूँ। अहंकार और अभिमानको अपने पास नहीं फटकने देती

Transliteration

praṇayaṃ pratisaṃhṛtya nidhāyātmānam ātmani | śuśrūṣur nirahaṃmānā patīnāṃ cittarakṣiṇī ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Having restrained my personal desires and gathered my mind back into the Self, I remain intent only on service—free from ego and self-importance—guarding and sustaining the hearts of my husbands.”

Word by Word

प्रणयम्affection, love

प्रतिसंहृत्यhaving withdrawn/restrained

निधायhaving placed/fixed

आत्मानम्self, mind (oneself)

आत्मनिin the self

शुश्रूषुःdesirous of serving/attending

निरहंमानाfree from ego/pride

पतीनाम्of (my) husbands

चित्तरक्षिणीprotecting/guarding the mind (of them)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes dharmic self-discipline: restraining personal impulses, centering the mind inward, and acting from humble service rather than ego—thereby protecting harmony in relationships.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana reports a woman’s stated conduct and ideal of behavior: she describes withdrawing her own desires, remaining free of pride, and focusing on attentive service to maintain the well-being and goodwill of her husbands.