Shloka 1.10.12
ऋश्यशृङ्ग-आनयनम् (Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga to Aṅga and His Marriage to Śāntā)
कस्त्वं किं वर्तसे ब्रह्मन् ज्ञातुमिच्छामहे वयम्।एकस्त्वं विजने घोरे वने चरसि शंस न:।। ।।
kas tvaṃ kiṃ vartase brahman jñātum icchāmahe vayam |
ekas tvaṃ vijane ghore vane carasi śaṃsa naḥ ||
“Who are you, O brahman? How do you sustain yourself? We wish to know: why do you roam alone in this dreadful, lonely forest? Tell us.”
'O brahman! Who are you? How are you subsisting? We wish to know why you are roaming alone in this dreadful forest? Could you tell us.'
The verse centers on satya and transparency in speech—questions invite truthful identity and life-practice, while also showing how inquiry can be a tool of manipulation.
The women initiate conversation with Ṛśyaśṛṅga, asking about his identity and solitary life in the forest.
On the surface: civility and curiosity; in context: calculated persuasion aimed at drawing him out of isolation.