Shloka 4
Kurukṣetra–Samantapañcaka Māhātmya: King Kuru’s Ploughing and Indra’s Boon (प्रजापतेरुत्तरवेदिः समन्तपञ्चकं)
मनसाथ सुतां सुभ्रं समुत्पादितवान् विभु: । वैशम्पायनजीने कहा--राजन्! प्राचीन कालमें एक महान् शक्तिशाली और महायशस्वी कुणिर्गग नामक ऋषि रहते थे। तपस्या करनेवालोंमें श्रेष्ठ उन महर्षिने बड़ा भारी तप करके अपने मनसे एक सुन्दरी कन्या उत्पन्न की ।। तां च दृष्टवा मुनि: प्रीत: कुणिर्ग्गो महायशा:
manasātha sutāṁ subhrāṁ samutpāditavān vibhuḥ | vaiśampāyana uvāca—rājan, prācīna-kāle ekaḥ mahān śaktimān mahāyaśāś ca kuṇirggo nāma ṛṣir āsīt | tapasvināṁ śreṣṭhas sa maharṣir bahu-guru-tapasā manasaḥ ekāṁ sundarīṁ kanyāṁ samutpādayām āsa || tāṁ ca dṛṣṭvā muniḥ prītaḥ kuṇirggo mahāyaśāḥ |
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Ó rei, em tempos antigos viveu um grande sábio chamado Kuṇirgga, poderoso em força espiritual e ilustre por sua fama. O mais eminente entre os ascetas, ele realizou severas austeridades e, pela força de sua mente, fez surgir uma filha radiante e bela. Ao vê-la, o ilustre Kuṇirgga encheu-se de alegria.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata theme that disciplined austerity (tapas) and inner mastery can yield extraordinary results; it also frames such power within a moral narrative context, where spiritual potency must be guided by discernment and responsibility.
Vaiśampāyana begins an ancient episode: the famed sage Kuṇirgga performs intense tapas and produces a radiant daughter through mental power; upon seeing her, he feels pleased—setting up the next events of the story.