Shloka 8
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 85: Āṣṭaka–Yayāti संवादः
Merit-Exhaustion, Rebirth, and the Critique of Pride
सन्ति ते बहव:ः पुत्रा मत्त: प्रियतरा नूप । जरां ग्रहीतुं धर्मज्ञ तस्मादन्यं वृणीष्व वै,धर्मज्ञ नरेश्वरर आपके बहुत-से पुत्र हैं, जो आपको मुझसे भी अधिक प्रिय हैं; अतः बुढ़ापा लेनेके लिये किसी दूसरे पुत्रको चुन लीजिये
santi te bahavaḥ putrā mattaḥ priyatarā nṛpa | jarāṃ grahītuṃ dharmajña tasmād anyaṃ vṛṇīṣva vai ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: «أيها الملك، لك أبناء كثيرون هم أحبّ إليك مني. لذلك، يا عارف الدharma، إن كان لا بدّ لك من قبول الشيخوخة، فاختر ابناً آخر ليحمل هذا العبء».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and propriety: one should not impose a heavy, undesirable burden (here, the taking on of old age) on someone who is not the most fitting choice, especially when closer and more appropriate family members exist. It also reflects dharma in counsel—speaking truth respectfully to a ruler.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a moment where a king is being advised that he has many sons more beloved than the speaker; therefore, if the king intends to pass on or assign the burden of old age, he should select another son rather than the speaker.