Mahabharata 1.96.45 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 96, Shloka 45
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 96 — काश्यकन्याहरणं, शाल्वसमागमः, अम्बावचनं च
Kāśī princesses taken; encounter with Śālva; Ambā’s declaration
देवापि: खलु बाल एवारण्यं विवेश । शान्तनुस्तु महीपालो बभूव,देवापि बाल्यावस्थामें ही वनको चले गये, अत: शान्तनु राजा हुए
Devāpiḥ khalu bāla evāraṇyaṃ viveśa | Śāntanus tu mahīpālo babhūva |
वैशम्पायन उवाच—देवापिः खलु बाल एव अरण्यं विवेश। शान्तनुस्तु महीपालो बभूव।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic importance of continuity in governance: when an heir withdraws from worldly responsibility (here, Devāpi entering the forest), another must assume kingship (Śāntanu) to protect the people and uphold order.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Devāpi, still young, went into the forest; as a result, Śāntanu became the reigning king, indicating a transfer of royal responsibility within the Kuru line.
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