Shloka 17
कुन्तीनिवर्तनप्रयत्नः तथा वननिवासप्रारम्भः
Attempt to Dissuade Kuntī; Commencement of Forest Residence
एता यथामुख्यमुदाह्वता वो ब्राह्मण्यभावादजुबुद्धिसत्त्वा: । सर्वा भवद्धि: परिपृच्छयमाना नरेन्द्रपत्न्य: सुविशुद्धसत्त्वा:
etā yathāmukhyam udāhṛtā vo brāhmaṇyabhāvād ajubuddhisattvāḥ | sarvā bhavadbhiḥ paripṛcchyamānā narendrapatnyaḥ suviśuddhasattvāḥ ||
三阇耶说道：“诸位仙圣，具婆罗门之威仪，心思淳朴而内性清净；既然你们询问她们，我便为你们指明这些女子中最为主要者。你们所问的诸王后，皆心地澄澈，纯净无垢。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical valuation of inner purity and guileless disposition: those who inquire with brahminical dignity and simplicity are answered respectfully, and the queens are characterized by purified hearts—suggesting that moral worth is grounded in sattva (inner character) rather than mere status.
Sañjaya addresses the assembled sages who have asked about the identities of certain royal women. He states that he has already named the principal ones in response to their inquiry and affirms the queens’ purity of heart.