Shloka 17
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
पौराण: श्रूयते राजन् राजा हरिहयोपम: । श्वेतकिर्नाम विख्यातों बलविक्रमसंयुत:,राजन! सुना जाता है, प्राचीनकालमें इन्द्रके समान बल और पराक्रमसे सम्पन्न श्वेतकि नामके एक राजा थे
paurāṇaḥ śrūyate rājan rājā harihayopamaḥ | śvetakir nāma vikhyāto balavikrama-saṁyutaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, it is heard from ancient tradition that there once lived a renowned ruler named Śvetaki, endowed with strength and valor, and comparable to the Harihayas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames exemplary kingship through inherited tradition: a ruler’s worth is measured by recognized virtues—strength and valor—while being situated within respected lineages, underscoring how ethical and political ideals are preserved and transmitted by śruti-like report (“śrūyate”).
Vaiśampāyana introduces an ancient account by naming a celebrated king, Śvetaki, describing him as famed and endowed with power and heroism, and likening him to the illustrious Harihaya stock—setting the stage for the episode that follows.