Shloka 23
Ādi-parva 109: Pāṇḍu’s Forest Hunt and Kiṃdama’s Curse (पाण्डोर्मृगयावृत्तान्तः—किंदमशापः)
प्रणष्टं शन्तनोर्वशं समीक्ष्य पुनरुद्धृतम् । ततो निर्वचनं लोके सर्वराष्ट्रेष्ववर्तत,नष्ट हुए शान्तनुके वंशका पुनः उद्धार हुआ देखकर समस्त राष्ट्रके लोग परस्पर कहने लगे--
praṇaṣṭaṃ śantanor vaṃśaṃ samīkṣya punar uddhṛtam | tato nirvacanaṃ loke sarvarāṣṭreṣv avartata ||
ครั้นเห็นวงศ์แห่งศานตนุซึ่งเคยคิดว่าดับสูญแล้วกลับได้รับการฟื้นฟูขึ้นอีก ครั้งนั้นถ้อยคำเล่าลือก็แพร่ไปในโลก ในทุกแว่นแคว้น
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the restoration of a righteous or significant lineage becomes a matter of public moral and political interest: society closely watches the continuity of dynasties, and collective speech (public report) spreads swiftly across realms, shaping reputation and legitimacy.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that people, noticing the revival of Śantanu’s line after it seemed lost, began discussing it everywhere; the news circulated through many kingdoms as a notable event.