Shloka 4
प्रतीपस्तु महीपालस्तामुवाच यशस्विनीम् | करोमि कि ते कल्याणि प्रियं यत् तेडभिकाड्क्षितम्,अपनी जाँघपर बैठी हुई उस यशस्विनी नारीसे राजा प्रतीपने पूछा--“कल्याणि! मैं तुम्हारा कौन-सा प्रिय कार्य करूँ? तुम्हारी क्या इच्छा है?”
pratīpastu mahīpālastāmuvāca yaśasvinīm | karomi ki te kalyāṇi priyaṃ yat te'bhikāṅkṣitam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: King Pratīpa, lord of the earth, addressed that illustrious woman seated upon his thigh: “Auspicious lady, what dear wish of yours shall I fulfill? What is it that you desire?” The scene highlights the king’s courteous restraint and his readiness to act according to propriety, seeking her consent and intention rather than presuming upon her presence.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic kingship: a ruler should act with courtesy and self-restraint, seeking to understand another’s intention and offering help without coercion or presumption.
King Pratīpa addresses an illustrious woman who has sat upon his thigh and asks what she desires, offering to fulfill her wish—setting up the ensuing revelation and conditions connected with their encounter.