Shloka 14
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
अश्वपतिरवाच अपत्यार्थ: समारम्भ: कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया । पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयु: कुलभावना:,अश्वपतिने कहा-देवि! मैंने धर्मप्राप्तिकी इच्छासे संतानके लिये यह अनुष्ठान आरम्भ किया था। आपकी कृपासे मुझे बहुत-से वंशप्रवर्तक पुत्र प्राप्त हों
aśvapatiḥ uvāca—apatyārthaḥ samārambhaḥ kṛto dharmepsayā mayā | putrā me bahavo devi bhaveyuḥ kulabhāvanāḥ ||
ಅಶ್ವಪತಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು—ದೇವಿ! ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಆಶಯದಿಂದ ಸಂತಾನಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ನಾನು ಈ ಅನುಷ್ಠಾನವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೃಪೆಯಿಂದ ನನಗೆ ಅನೇಕ ಕುಲವರ್ಧಕ ಪುತ್ರರು ದೊರಕಲಿ.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links personal desire (offspring) with dharmic intention: Aśvapati frames his wish for children as a righteous, socially sustaining aim—seeking heirs who will uphold and continue the family and its duties.
Aśvapati speaks to a goddess, explaining that he has begun a religious observance to obtain children, and he petitions for many sons who will strengthen and continue his lineage.