Shloka 20
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
जग्राह विधिवत् पाणायुवास च तया सह । विश्वास्य चैनां स प्रायादब्रवीच्च पुन: पुन:,'सुश्रोणि! तुम राजभवनमें ही रहनेयोग्य हो। मैं तुमसे यह सच्ची बात कहता हूँ।” ऐसा कहकर राजर्षि दुष्यन्तने अनिन्द्यगामिनी शकुन्तलाका विधिपूर्वक पाणिग्रहण किया और उसके साथ एकान्तवास किया। फिर उसे विश्वास दिलाकर वहाँसे विदा हुए। जाते समय उन्होंने बार-बार कहा--'पवित्र मुसकानवाली सुन्दरी! मैं तुम्हारे लिये चतुरंगिणी सेना भेजूगा और उसीके साथ अपने राजभवनमें बुलवाऊँगा'
jagrāha vidhivat pāṇiṃ uvāsa ca tayā saha | viśvāsya caināṃ sa prāyād abravīc ca punaḥ punaḥ— “suśroṇi! tvaṃ rājabhavane eva sthātum arhasi | ahaṃ tvāṃ satyam etad bravīmi” |
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Ayon sa wastong ritwal, kinuha ng haring si Duṣyanta ang kamay ni Śakuntalā at namuhay na kasama niya sa pag-iisa. Pagkaraan, matapos siyang tiyakin, umalis ang hari sa pook na iyon. Sa kanyang pag-alis, paulit-ulit niyang sinabi: “O marikit ang balakang, karapat-dapat kang manahan sa palasyo. Ito ang katotohanang sinasabi ko.” Nangako rin siyang magpapadala ng hukbong pang-eskorta at ipapahatid siya sa kanyang palasyo.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds dharma in intimate and royal conduct: a relationship is framed as legitimate through vidhivat pāṇigrahaṇa (proper hand-taking), and ethical responsibility is shown through reassurance and a promise of safe, honorable transition to the palace—highlighting the king’s duty to protect and publicly acknowledge what is privately undertaken.
Duṣyanta formally marries Śakuntalā by taking her hand according to proper rite, lives with her privately for a time, then departs after consoling her. He repeatedly tells her she belongs in the royal palace and promises to send an escorting fourfold army to bring her there.