Shloka 13
Śakuntalā’s Satya-Discourse and the Recognition of Bharata (शकुन्तला–सत्योपदेशः; भरतप्रतिग्रहः)
निर्ययौ परमप्रीत्या वनं मृगजिघांसया । त॑ं देवराजप्रतिमं मत्तवारणधूर्गतम्,इस प्रकार महाराज वनमें हिंसक पशुओंका शिकार खेलनेके लिये बड़ी प्रसन्नताके साथ नगरसे बाहर निकले। वे देवराज इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी थे। मतवाले हाथीकी पीठपर बैठकर यात्रा करनेवाले उन महाराज दुष्यन्तके पीछे-पीछे ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्र सभी वर्णोके लोग गये और सब आशीर्वाद एवं विजयसूचक वचनोंद्वारा उनके अभ्युदयकी कामना करते हुए उनकी ओर देखते रहे
niryayau paramaprītyā vanaṁ mṛgajighāṁsayā | taṁ devarājapratimaṁ mattavāraṇadhūrgatam ||
తర్వాత ఆయన పరమ ఆనందంతో మృగయ కోసం వనానికి బయలుదేరాడు—దేవరాజ ఇంద్రుని సమాన తేజస్సుతో—మత్తగజంపై ఆరూఢుడై ముందుకు సాగాడు।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ideals of kingship as publicly affirmed authority: the king’s vigor and splendor are paired with the community’s auspicious speech and collective goodwill. It also reflects the epic’s social imagination, where all varṇas participate as witnesses to royal action and express hopes for the ruler’s welfare.
King Duṣyanta leaves the city joyfully to hunt in the forest, riding on a rutting elephant and described as Indra-like. People from all four social orders follow behind him, watching and offering blessings and victory-cries for his success.