Shloka 24
ययाति–शक्रसंवादः
Speech-Ethics and Forbearance in the Celestial Court
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्तस्तु राजा स तथ्यमित्यभिजज्ञिवान् पूजयामास शर्मिष्ठां धर्म च प्रत्यपादयत्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--शर्मिष्ठके ऐसा कहनेपर राजाने उसकी बातोंको ठीक समझा। उन्होंने शर्मिष्ठाका सत्कार किया और धर्मानुसार उसे अपनी भार्या बनाया
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: evam uktas tu rājā sa tathyam ity abhijajñivān | pūjayāmāsa śarmiṣṭhāṃ dharmaṃ ca pratyapādayat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, the king recognized her words as true. He honored Śarmiṣṭhā and, in accordance with dharma, accepted her as his wife—showing that rightful conduct includes acknowledging truth, offering due respect, and regularizing relationships through lawful duty rather than impulse.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as the proper framework for action: recognizing truth, honoring the deserving, and formalizing relationships through lawful, socially responsible conduct rather than mere desire or convenience.
After hearing Śarmiṣṭhā’s statement, the king accepts it as true, treats her with respect, and then, following dharma, takes steps to establish her as his wife.