Shloka 17
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
मम तात पिता राजन् शान्तनुर्लोकविश्रुत: । तस्याहमेक एवासं पुत्र: पुत्रवतां वर:,“तात! मेरे पिता शान्तनु विश्वविख्यात नरेश थे, जो पुत्रवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ समझे जाते थे। राजन! मैं उनका इकलौता पुत्र था
mama tāta pitā rājan śāntanur lokaviśrutaḥ | tasyāham eka evāsaṃ putraḥ putravatāṃ varaḥ |
Vāyu disse: “Ó rei, meu pai foi Śāntanu, afamado em todo o mundo. Desse soberano ilustre—contado entre os mais eminentes dos que foram abençoados com filhos—eu era o seu único filho.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of lineage and reputation: a ruler’s world-known standing (lokaviśruta) and the status of being ‘foremost among those with sons’ frame the speaker’s identity and responsibility, implying that one’s conduct should be worthy of an illustrious ancestry.
Vāyu introduces his paternal lineage to the king he is addressing, identifying Śāntanu as his famous father and stating that he was Śāntanu’s only son—setting context for a genealogical or identity-related explanation within the Udyoga Parva’s broader negotiations and preparations.