Shloka 20
अध्याय ९५: चित्राङ्गदस्य गन्धर्वेण सह संग्रामः तथा विचित्रवीर्यस्य राज्याभिषेकः
Chitrāṅgada’s duel with the Gandharva and Vicitravīrya’s consecration
भरतस्तिसृषु स्त्रीषु नव पुत्रानजीजनत् । नाभ्यनन्दत तान् राजा नानुरूपा ममेत्युत,भरतने अपनी तीन रानियोंसे नौ पुत्र उत्पन्न किये। किंतु “ये मेरे अनुरूप नहीं हैं' ऐसा कहकर राजाने उन शिशुओंका अभिनन्दन नहीं किया
bharatas tisṛṣu strīṣu nava putrān ajījanat | nābhyanandata tān rājā nānurūpā mamety uta ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Bharata gerou nove filhos de suas três rainhas. Contudo, o rei não se alegrou com eles, dizendo: “Não são dignos de mim”, pois não os julgou à altura do seu ideal régio.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between biological progeny and the king’s responsibility to uphold a perceived royal standard. It suggests that mere birth does not automatically satisfy ideals of fitness for succession; rulers are portrayed as judging heirs by qualities they deem befitting of dharma and kingship.
In the genealogical account, Bharata fathers nine sons through his three queens. However, he does not celebrate or accept them with satisfaction, declaring that they are not ‘anurūpa’—not matching his own stature or expectations—thereby setting up a succession concern within the lineage narrative.