Shloka 54
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञो गत्वा श्येनं ततोडब्रवीत् । मत्प्रियार्थमिदं सौम्य शुक्रे मम गृहं नय
sūkṣma-dharmārtha-tattvajño gatvā śyenaṃ tato 'bravīt | mat-priyārtham idaṃ saumya śukre mama gṛhaṃ naya ||
ಧರ್ಮಾರ್ಥಗಳ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ತತ್ತ್ವಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದ ರಾಜನು ಶ್ಯೇನನ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು—“ಸೌಮ್ಯಾ! ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಿಯಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಈ ವೀರ್ಯವನ್ನು ನನ್ನ ಮನೆಗೆ ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ಯು.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s discernment in balancing dharma (right conduct) and artha (practical aims): even in pursuing lineage and royal continuity, action is framed as timely, purposeful, and guided by knowledge of subtle principles.
King Vasu entrusts a hawk with carrying his semen to his home so it may reach Queen Girikā during her fertile period; the hawk departs swiftly as a messenger.