Shloka 1.33.17

कुशनाभकन्याशतविवाहः — The Marriage of Kuśanābha’s Hundred Daughters (and the Birth of Brahmadatta)

Devanagari script

अपतिश्चास्मि भद्रं ते भार्या चास्मि न कस्यचित्।ब्राह्मेणोपगतायाश्च दातुमर्हसि मे सुतम्।।1.33.17।।

Transliteration

vāyuḥ sarvātmako rājan pradharṣayitum icchati |

aśubhaṁ mārgam āsthāya na dharmaṁ pratyavekṣate ||1.33.2||

Translation

O King, Vāyu, the all-pervading Wind-god, seeks to violate us; having taken to an inauspicious course, he gives no regard to dharma.

Context

I am without a husband, my sire. I am not a wife to any one. Since I have taken refuge in you, you are competent to bestow on me a son with the power of your penance".

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu (Wind-god)
• Kūśanābha (implied addressee)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Even a powerful being must remain restrained by dharma; desire pursued through ‘aśubha’ (unrighteous) means is condemned.

What is the narrative situation?

Kūśanābha’s daughters report that Vāyu attempted to coerce them, ignoring moral limits.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The daughters’ moral clarity and modesty—recognizing adharma and refusing it despite the offender’s power.