Shloka 14
Śakuntalā’s Satya-Discourse and the Recognition of Bharata (शकुन्तला–सत्योपदेशः; भरतप्रतिग्रहः)
द्विजक्षत्रियविट्शूद्रा निर्यान्तमनुजग्मिरे । ददृशुर्वर्धभानास्ते आशीर्भिश्च॒ जयेन च
vaśiṣṭha uvāca: dvijakṣatriyaviṭśūdrā niryāntam anujagmire | dadṛśur vardhabhānās te āśīrbhiś ca jayena ca ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Ketika raja berangkat dari kota, orang-orang dari keempat golongan—Brahmana, Ksatria, Waisya, dan Sudra—mengikuti di belakangnya. Mereka terus memandangnya sambil melantunkan berkat-berkat mujur dan seruan kemenangan, memohonkan keberhasilan serta kesejahteraan baginya dalam perjalanan kerajaan itu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of a king’s public legitimacy: society collectively supports the ruler’s undertaking through blessings and auspicious acclamations. Ethically, it reflects the expectation that royal action (such as an expedition) is undertaken under communal goodwill and within the framework of dharma.
As the king departs (in this episode, Duṣyanta setting out), people from all four varnas follow him and watch him, offering benedictions and victory-cries (‘jaya’), signaling public approval and wishing him success.