Shloka 6
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 116: Jamadagni–Reṇukā Narrative and the Kārtavīrya Conflict
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account
सा तु चित्ररथं नाम मार्तिकावतकं नृपम् ददर्श रेणुका राजन्नागच्छन्ती यदृच्छया,राजन्! जब वह स्नान करके लौटने लगी उस समय अकस्मात् उसकी दृष्टि मार्तिकावत देशके राजा चित्ररथपर पड़ी, जो कमलोंकी माला धारण करके अपनी पत्नीके साथ जलनमें क्रीड़ा कर रहा था। उस समृद्धिशाली नरेशको उस अवस्थामें देखकर रेणुकाने उसकी इच्छा की
sā tu citrarathaṃ nāma mārtikāvatakaṃ nṛpam dadarśa reṇukā rājann āgacchantī yadṛcchayā
Wahai Raja, ketika Reṇukā sedang kembali setelah mandi, secara kebetulan ia melihat raja bernama Citraratha, penguasa Mārtikāvata.
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how an unguarded moment and a chance encounter can trigger desire; the ethical emphasis is on vigilance and self-restraint (dama/saṃyama) as supports of dharma, since inner impulse can quickly become the cause of outward wrongdoing.
Akṛtavraṇa narrates that Reṇukā, while returning, unexpectedly sees King Citraratha of Mārtikāvata; the king is depicted as prosperous and attractive, and this sight awakens desire in Reṇukā, which becomes the turning point for the ensuing events.