Shloka 19
Vṛddha-kanyā-carita and Balarāma’s Kurukṣetra Inquiry (वृद्धकन्या-चरितम् / कुरुक्षेत्रफल-प्रश्नः)
प्रस्ुतासि महाभागे सरसो ब्रह्मण: पुरा,“महाभागे! तुम पूर्वकालमें ब्रह्माजीके सरोवरसे प्रकट हुई हो। सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ सरस्वती! कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले मुनि तुम्हारी महिमाको जानते हैं। प्रियदर्शने! तुम सदा मेरा भी प्रिय करती रही हो; अतः वरवर्णिनि! तुम्हारा यह लोकभावन महान पुत्र तुम्हारे ही नामपर “सारस्वत” कहलायेगा
prasūtāsi mahābhāge saraso brahmaṇaḥ purā | saritāṃ śreṣṭhe sarasvati kaṭhora-vrata-pālināḥ munayas tava mahimānaṃ viduḥ | priya-darśane tvaṃ sadā mama api priyaṃ karoti | ataḥ vara-varṇini ayaṃ loka-bhāvanaḥ mahān putras tavaiva nāmnā “sārasvata” iti khyātiṃ gamiṣyati ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O noble lady, in ancient times you arose from the lake of Brahmā. O Sarasvatī, best among rivers, sages who practice severe vows know your greatness. O lovely one, you have always shown me favor as well. Therefore, O fair-complexioned lady, this great son—who brings welfare to the world—will be known by your very name as ‘Sārasvata.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links spiritual greatness with recognized austerity and sacred origin: Sarasvatī’s sanctity is affirmed by sages, and the act of naming a beneficent son after her underscores how identity and renown are grounded in revered sources and virtues.
Vaiśaṃpāyana praises Sarasvatī, recalling her emergence from Brahmā’s lake and her esteem among ascetic sages, and declares that a great, world-benefiting son will be known by her name as ‘Sārasvata.’