Shloka 18
धृतराष्ट्र–दुर्योधन संवादः
Vāraṇāvata-vivāsana-nīti: Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Duryodhana’s Policy Dialogue
ततः संवर्धयामास संस्कारैश्वाप्पपोजयत् । प्रातीपेयो नरश्रेष्ठो मिथुनं गौतमस्य तत्,तदनन्तर नरश्रेष्ठ प्रतीपनन्दन शन्तनुने शरद्वानुके उन दोनों बालकोंका पालन-पोषण किया और यथासमय उन्हें सब संस्कारोंसे सम्पन्न किया
tataḥ saṃvardhayāmāsa saṃskāraiś cāpy apūjayat | prātīpeyo naraśreṣṭho mithunaṃ gautamasya tat ||
ततः संवर्धयामास संस्कारैश्चाप्यपोषयत्। प्रातीपेयो नरश्रेष्ठो मिथुनं गौतमस्य तत्॥ स कालानुरूपैः संस्कारैः तौ समलङ्कृत्य, शिक्षां च विनयं च दत्त्वा, पितृवत् परिपालयामास।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s dharma as guardian: true care includes completing saṃskāras—timely rites and education that cultivate virtue, social responsibility, and disciplined character, not merely providing food and shelter.
After the preceding events, King Pratīpa raises a pair associated with Gautama, honoring them and ensuring they undergo the appropriate saṃskāras at the proper times, indicating their formal integration into a protected and ethically guided life.