Shloka 17
कुन्तीनिवर्तनप्रयत्नः तथा वननिवासप्रारम्भः
Attempt to Dissuade Kuntī; Commencement of Forest Residence
एता यथामुख्यमुदाह्वता वो ब्राह्मण्यभावादजुबुद्धिसत्त्वा: । सर्वा भवद्धि: परिपृच्छयमाना नरेन्द्रपत्न्य: सुविशुद्धसत्त्वा:
etā yathāmukhyam udāhṛtā vo brāhmaṇyabhāvād ajubuddhisattvāḥ | sarvā bhavadbhiḥ paripṛcchyamānā narendrapatnyaḥ suviśuddhasattvāḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô sages, revêtus de la dignité du brahmanat, d’une intelligence simple et d’une nature intérieure pure, puisque vous m’avez interrogé à leur sujet, j’ai donc désigné pour vous les plus éminentes parmi ces femmes. Toutes ces reines dont vous avez demandé des nouvelles ont le cœur parfaitement purifié.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical valuation of inner purity and guileless disposition: those who inquire with brahminical dignity and simplicity are answered respectfully, and the queens are characterized by purified hearts—suggesting that moral worth is grounded in sattva (inner character) rather than mere status.
Sañjaya addresses the assembled sages who have asked about the identities of certain royal women. He states that he has already named the principal ones in response to their inquiry and affirms the queens’ purity of heart.