Shloka 14
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
अश्वपतिरवाच अपत्यार्थ: समारम्भ: कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया । पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयु: कुलभावना:,अश्वपतिने कहा-देवि! मैंने धर्मप्राप्तिकी इच्छासे संतानके लिये यह अनुष्ठान आरम्भ किया था। आपकी कृपासे मुझे बहुत-से वंशप्रवर्तक पुत्र प्राप्त हों
aśvapatiḥ uvāca—apatyārthaḥ samārambhaḥ kṛto dharmepsayā mayā | putrā me bahavo devi bhaveyuḥ kulabhāvanāḥ ||
Aśvapati thưa: “Ôi Nữ thần, vì mong đạt được dharma, ta đã khởi sự nghi lễ này để cầu con cái. Nhờ ân sủng của Người, xin cho ta được ban phúc có nhiều con trai—những người nâng đỡ và nối dài dòng tộc.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links personal desire (offspring) with dharmic intention: Aśvapati frames his wish for children as a righteous, socially sustaining aim—seeking heirs who will uphold and continue the family and its duties.
Aśvapati speaks to a goddess, explaining that he has begun a religious observance to obtain children, and he petitions for many sons who will strengthen and continue his lineage.