Shloka 17
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
युवराजो महाराज सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते । यद्येतदेवं दुष्पन्त अस्तु मे सड़मस्त्वया,और उसका पालन करनेके लिये मुझसे सच्ची प्रतिज्ञा कीजिये। वह शर्त क्या है, यह मैं एकान्तमें आपसे कह रही हूँ--महाराज दुष्यन्त! मेरे गर्भसे आपके द्वारा जो पुत्र उत्पन्न हो, वही आपके बाद युवराज हो, ऐसी मेरी इच्छा है। यह मैं आपसे सत्य कहती हूँ। यदि यह शर्त इसी रूपमें आपको स्वीकार हो तो आपके साथ मेरा समागम हो सकता है
yuvārājo mahārāja satyam etad bravīmi te | yady etad evaṃ duṣyanta astu me saṅgamas tvayā |
Duṣyanta said: “O great king, I speak this to you in truth. If this condition is accepted exactly as stated, then let there be union between you and me.”
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) and the ethical weight of consent and commitment: union is framed as contingent upon accepting a stated condition, highlighting responsibility in relationships and the dharmic importance of clear promises—especially regarding royal succession.
In the courtship context, a condition is being articulated for union: the speaker insists that if the stipulation is accepted exactly, then union may occur. The surrounding episode (as commonly transmitted) centers on ensuring that the child born from this union will be recognized as heir (yuvārāja).