Shloka 10
Kuvalāśva’s Lineage and Uttaṅka’s Petition concerning Dhundhu (धुन्धु-प्रसङ्गः)
तामब्रवीद् राजा कस्यासि भद्रे का वा त्वमिति । सा प्रत्युवाच कन्याउस्मीति तां राजोवाचार्थी त्वयाहमिति,“तब राजाने उससे पूछा--'कल्याणी! तुम कौन और किसकी हो?” उसने उत्तर दिया--'मैं कन्या हूँ---अभी मेरा विवाह नहीं हुआ है।” तब राजाने उससे कहा--'भद्रे! मैं तुझे चाहता हूँ”
tām abravīd rājā: kasyāsi bhadre, kā vā tvam iti | sā pratyuvāca: kanyā asmi iti | tāṃ rājovāca: arthī tvayāham iti ||
王は彼女に言った。「吉祥なる乙女よ、そなたは誰で、誰の者か。」彼女は答えた。「私は未婚の娘です。」すると王は言った。「麗しき者よ、私はそなたを望む。そなたを妻として求める。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds social-ethical procedure in relationships: identity and status are first clarified (“whose are you, who are you; are you unmarried?”) before a proposal is voiced. It reflects the dharmic concern for propriety and legitimate marital intent rather than covert or coercive pursuit.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a king questions a young woman about her identity and guardianship, and she states she is an unmarried maiden. Hearing this, the king declares himself a suitor, expressing his wish to take her as wife.