Shloka 16
यक्षोपाख्यान-प्रवेशः
Entry into the Yakṣa-Lake Episode
अश्वपतिरवाच अपि राजात्मजो दाता ब्रह्माण्यश्वापि सत्यवान् । रूपवानप्युदारो वाप्यथवा प्रियदर्शन:
aśvapatir uvāca api rājātmajo dātā brahmaṇyaś cāpi satyavān | rūpavān apy udāro vā apy athavā priyadarśanaḥ ||
Aśvapati said: “Is he perhaps a prince by birth, a generous giver, and devoted to the Brahmins—truthful as well? Or is he handsome, noble-hearted, and pleasing to behold?”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic criteria for evaluating a person—especially a prospective match—prioritizing generosity, truthfulness, reverence for sacred learning and Brahmins, nobility of character, and only then outward attractiveness.
In the Savitrī-upākhyāna context, Aśvapati is inquiring about the qualities of the man in question (Satyavān), asking whether he is of royal lineage and endowed with virtues such as generosity, truthfulness, brahmin-friendly conduct, nobility, and pleasing appearance.