आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
स विश्व इति विख्यातो बभूव पृथिवीपति: । सुपर्ण इति विख्यातस्तस्मादवरजस्तु य:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
sa viśva iti vikhyāto babhūva pṛthivīpatiḥ |
suparṇa iti vikhyātas tasmād avarajas tu yaḥ ||
அவன் ‘விச்வ’ என்ற பெயரால் புகழ்பெற்று பூமியின் அதிபதியானான். அவனுடைய இளைய சகோதரன் ‘சுபர்ண’ எனப் பெயர்பெற்றவனும் இங்கே அரசனாகப் பிறந்தான்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse itself is genealogical, but within the chapter’s larger list it underscores a moral caution: worldly kingship and fame can arise from powerful origins, yet the ethical quality of rule depends on conduct (dharma), not merely on birth, might, or renown.
Vaiśampāyana continues a catalog of births and identities: a figure known as Viśva becomes a king, and a younger brother known as Suparṇa is mentioned—part of a broader enumeration linking non-human powers (daityas/asuras in the surrounding passage) to earthly rulers.