Shloka 17
यक्षोपाख्यान-प्रवेशः
Entry into the Yakṣa-Lake Episode
अश्वपतिने पूछा--क्या राजपुत्र सत्यवान् दानी, ब्राह्मणभक्त, रूपवानू, उदार अथवा प्रियदर्शन भी है? ।। नारद उवाच सांकृते रन्तिदेवस्य स्वशकक््त्या दानतः सम: । ब्रह्मण्य: सत्यवादी च शिबिरौशीनरो यथा,नारदजीने कहा--सत्यवान् अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार दान देनेमें संकृतिनन्दन रन्तिदेवके समान है तथा उशीनरपुत्र शिबिके समान ब्राह्मणमभक्त और सत्यवादी है
Nārada uvāca: Saṅkṛte Rantidevasya svaśaktyā dānataḥ samaḥ | Brahmaṇyaḥ satyavādī ca Śibir Auśīnaro yathā ||
Narada said: “Satyavān is like Rantideva, the son of Saṅkṛti, in giving charity according to his means; and like Śibi, the son of Uśīnara, he is devoted to Brahmins and steadfastly truthful.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True virtue is measured by dharmic conduct within one’s means: giving proportionate to one’s capacity (svaśaktyā dāna) and unwavering commitment to truth (satyavāda), coupled with reverence for Brahmins and the sacred order (brahmaṇyatā).
In response to inquiry about Satyavān’s qualities, Nārada endorses him by comparing him to renowned exemplars: Rantideva for generous giving despite limited means, and King Śibi for truthfulness and devotion to Brahmins—thereby establishing Satyavān’s moral stature.