Shloka 68
रूपसत्त्वसमायुक्ता सर्वे: समुदिता गुणै: । सा तु सत्यवती नाम मत्स्यघात्यभिसंश्रयात्,वह रूप और सत्त्व (सत्य)-से संयुक्त तथा समस्त सदगुणोंसे सम्पन्न होनेके कारण 'सत्यवती” नामसे प्रसिद्ध हुई। मछेरोंके आश्रयमें रहनेके कारण वह पवित्र मुसकानवाली कन्या कुछ कालतक मत्स्यगन्धा नामसे ही विख्यात रही। वह पिताकी सेवाके लिये यमुनाजीके जलमें नाव चलाया करती थी। एक दिन तीर्थयात्राके उद्देश्स्से सब ओर विचरनेवाले महर्षि पराशरने उसे देखा। वह अतिशय रूप-सौन्दर्यसे सुशोभित थी। सिद्धोंके हृदयमें भी उसे पानेकी अभिलाषा जाग उठती थी
rūpa-sattva-samāyuktā sarvaiḥ samuditā guṇaiḥ | sā tu satyavatī nāma matsya-ghāty-abhisaṃśrayāt ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Endowed with beauty and inner virtue, and enriched with every good quality, she came to be known as Satyavatī. Yet because she lived under the protection of the fisherfolk, she was also spoken of as Matsyagandhā. Serving her father, she would ferry a boat across the waters of the Yamunā. Once, as the sage Parāśara wandered on pilgrimage, he saw her—radiant with extraordinary beauty, such that even perfected beings felt desire to attain her.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inner worth with social circumstance: Satyavatī is defined by truth and virtues, yet society also labels her by her environment (fisherfolk, fish-smell). It highlights how ethical character (sattva, guṇa) can coexist with—and ultimately transcend—external reputation and birth-association.
Vaiśaṃpāyana introduces Satyavatī: virtuous and beautiful, known as Satyavatī but also called Matsyagandhā due to her life among fisherfolk. She ferries boats on the Yamunā to serve her father. During his pilgrimage, the sage Parāśara sees her, setting up the next major episode in the lineage narrative.