Shloka 24
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
पृथिव्यां राजराजोस्मि चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षिता । यस्तेडभिलषित: कामो ब्रूहि कल्याणि मा चिरम्
pṛthivyāṃ rājarājo'smi cāturvarṇyasya rakṣitā | yaste'bhilaṣitaḥ kāmo brūhi kalyāṇi mā ciram ||
Mārkaṇḍeya nói: “Trên cõi đất này, ta là bậc chí tôn giữa các vua, là người hộ trì trật tự bốn đẳng cấp. Hỡi người nữ cát tường, hãy nói ngay điều nàng mong được thành—chớ chần chừ.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kingship as guardianship: a true sovereign is defined not merely by power but by the duty to protect and uphold dharma, here expressed as safeguarding the fourfold social order, and by readiness to hear and fulfill a rightful request without procrastination.
Mārkaṇḍeya speaks in the voice of a supreme ruler, declaring his authority and protective role, and invites an addressed woman—called “kalyāṇī”—to state her desired request promptly, setting up a boon-granting or petition scene.