Shloka 2
Kuntī’s Appeal for Progeny and the Vyuṣitāśva–Bhadrā Precedent (कुन्ती-पाण्डु संवादः; व्युषिताश्व-भद्रा आख्यानम्)
तां तु तेजस्विनीं कन्यां रूपयौवनशालिनीम् । व्यवृण्वन् पार्थिवा: केचिदतीव स्त्रीगुणैर्युताम्,सत्रीजनोचित सर्वोत्तम गुण अधिक मात्रामें प्रकट होकर उसकी शोभा बढ़ा रहे थे। मनोहर रूप तथा युवावस्थासे सुशोभित उस तेजस्विनी राजकन्याके लिये कई राजाओंने महाराज कुन्तिभोजसे याचना की
tāṃ tu tejasvinīṃ kanyāṃ rūpayauvanaśālinīm | vyavṛṇvan pārthivāḥ kecid atīva strīguṇair yutām ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Muchos reyes pretendieron a aquella doncella radiante, adornada con belleza y el esplendor de la juventud, y colmada de las más altas virtudes propias de una mujer noble. Así, su excelencia se hizo manifiesta por doquier, acrecentando su fama; y por aquella ilustre princesa, varios soberanos solicitaron a Kuntibhoja su mano.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a social-dharmic ideal in royal narratives: a prospective bride is praised not only for beauty and youth but also for character and conduct (strīguṇāḥ). Worthiness for marriage is framed as a blend of outer excellence and inner virtue, reflecting the ethical expectation that alliances be grounded in qualities, reputation, and propriety.
Vaiśampāyana describes how many kings, hearing of a radiant and highly qualified princess, come forward to seek her in marriage. They petition King Kuntibhoja, indicating that her guardianship and marital decision lie with him, and setting the stage for the subsequent events surrounding her marriage.