Shloka 17
ययाति-देवयानी-शर्मिष्ठा विवादः — Śukra’s Curse and the Disclosure of Lineage
सान्त्वयित्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ: साम्ना परमवल्गुना । का त्वं ताम्रनखी श्यामा सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डला,नृपश्रेष्ठ ययातिने पहले परम मधुर वचनोंद्वारा शान्तभावसे उसे आश्वासन दिया और कहा--“तुम कौन हो? तुम्हारे नख लाल-लाल हैं। तुम षोडशी जान पड़ती हो। तुम्हारे कानोंके मणिमय कुण्डल अत्यन्त सुन्दर और चमकीले हैं
sāntvayitvā nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | kā tvaṃ tāmranakhī śyāmā sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalā ||
Having soothed her, the best of kings addressed her with exceedingly gentle and conciliatory words: “Who are you—dark-hued, with copper-red nails, and with exquisitely polished, jewel-studded earrings?” The passage highlights a ruler’s ethical use of restraint and courteous speech: instead of coercion, he first calms the distressed and seeks her identity through respectful inquiry.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic conduct in interpersonal situations: an ideal ruler first pacifies fear or distress through sāman (conciliatory, gentle speech) and then asks questions respectfully. Ethical authority is shown as self-restraint, empathy, and courteous inquiry rather than force.
A king, described as nṛpaśreṣṭha, reassures a young woman and addresses her with very sweet words, asking who she is while noting her striking features—copper-red nails, dark complexion, and shining jeweled earrings—setting up her identification and the next turn of the story.