Shloka 50
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 96 — काश्यकन्याहरणं, शाल्वसमागमः, अम्बावचनं च
Kāśī princesses taken; encounter with Śālva; Ambā’s declaration
विचित्रवीर्यक्षित्राडदक्ष॒ । तयोरप्राप्तपयौवन एव चित्राड़दो गन्धर्वेण हत:; विचित्रवीर्यस्तु राजा5डसीत्,जिनका नाम था, विचित्रवीर्य और चित्रांगद। उनमेंसे चित्रांगद युवावस्थामें पदार्पण करनेसे पहले ही एक गन्धर्वके द्वारा मारे गये; परंतु विचित्रवीर्य राजा हुए
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | vicitravīryaś citrāṅgadaś ca | tayor aprāptapauruṣaḥ (aprāptayauvana) eva citrāṅgado gandharveṇa hataḥ; vicitravīryas tu rājābhavat |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The two were named Vicitravīrya and Citrāṅgada. Of them, Citrāṅgada was slain by a Gandharva before he had even reached youth; but Vicitravīrya became king. The passage underscores the fragility of royal succession and how unforeseen fate can redirect the burden of dharma onto the surviving heir.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal duty and lineage (rājadharma) are vulnerable to sudden loss; when an heir dies unexpectedly, the responsibility of protecting the realm and continuing the dynasty shifts to the surviving successor, highlighting impermanence and the ethical weight of kingship.
Vaiśaṃpāyana identifies two princes, Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya. Citrāṅgada is killed by a Gandharva before reaching youth, and consequently Vicitravīrya ascends the throne.