Shloka 34
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो धर्मिष्ठतां वव्रे राज्याच्चास्खलनं तथा । शकुन्तला पौरवाणां दुष्पन्तहितकाम्यया,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तब शकुन्तलाने दुष्यन्तके हितकी इच्छासे यह वर माँगा कि पुरुवंशी नरेश सदा धर्ममें स्थिर रहें और वे कभी राज्यसे भ्रष्ट न हों
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: tato dharmiṣṭhatāṁ vavre rājyāc cāskhalanaṁ tathā | Śakuntalā Pauravāṇāṁ Duṣyanta-hita-kāmyayā ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan nito, si Śakuntalā, na nagnanais ng kabutihan para kay Duṣyanta, ay humiling ng ganitong biyaya—na ang mga hari ng angkang Paurava ay manatiling matatag sa dharma, at kailanman ay huwag madulas o mahulog mula sa kanilang paghahari.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Rulership is portrayed as secure and meaningful only when grounded in dharma; the ideal boon is not mere power but unwavering righteousness and stability in governance.
Śakuntalā, thinking of Duṣyanta’s good, requests a boon that the Paurava kings remain devoted to dharma and never lose their kingdom—linking dynastic continuity with ethical steadfastness.