Shloka 25
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 98 — Paraśurāma’s kṣatriya suppression; Dīrghatamas, Bali, Sudēṣṇā, and the birth of Aṅga
स राजा शानन््तनुर्धीमान् देवराजसमप्युति: । बभूव मृगयाशील: शान्तनुर्वनगोचर:,बुद्धिमान् राजा शान्तनु देवराज इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी थे। वे हिंसक पशुओंको मारनेके उद्देश्यसे वनमें घूमते रहते थे
sa rājā śāntanur dhīmān devarājasamapadyutiḥ | babhūva mṛgayāśīlaḥ śāntanur vanagocaraḥ ||
ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า—พระราชาศานตนุผู้ทรงปรีชานั้นรุ่งเรืองดุจเทวราชอินทรา ครั้นทรงหลงใหลการล่าสัตว์ จึงเสด็จเที่ยวไปในป่าพนานิตย์
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes royal brilliance and wisdom with the habit of hunting, inviting reflection on how power and personal inclinations should be guided by dharma—especially regarding violence and restraint.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Śāntanu as exceptionally radiant and wise, yet strongly inclined to hunting, frequently roaming the forest—an introduction that prepares for subsequent events connected with his forest wanderings.