Shloka 14
वरान् वृणीष्व कल्याणि दुरापात् मानुषैरिह | यैस्त्वं सीमन्तिनी: सर्वा यशसाभिभविष्यसि
varān vṛṇīṣva kalyāṇi durāpāt mānuṣair iha | yais tvaṃ sīmantiṇīḥ sarvā yaśasābhibhaviṣyasi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Choose your boons, auspicious lady—boons that are hard for human beings to obtain in this world—by which you will surpass all other noble women through the power of your fame.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value placed on earned renown (yaśas) and excellence: one should seek worthy gifts or goals that elevate one’s standing through honorable reputation rather than through mere possession or force.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a woman is being invited to choose boons—rare even among humans—promising that through these she will surpass all other noble women in fame.