माता वृद्धा पिता वृद्धस्तयोर्यष्टिरहं किल । तौ रात्रौ मामपश्यन्ती कामवस्थां गमिष्यत:,मेरी माता बूढ़ी है। पिता भी वृद्ध हैं, केवल मैं ही उन दोनोंके लिये लाठीका सहारा हूँ। वे दोनों रातमें मुझे न देखकर पता नहीं किस दशाको पहुँच जायँगे?
mātā vṛddhā pitā vṛddhas tayor yaṣṭir ahaṃ kila | tau rātrau mām apaśyantī kām-avasthāṃ gamiṣyataḥ ||
قال يَما: «أمّي طاعنة في السنّ، وأبي كذلك شيخٌ كبير؛ وأنا حقًّا العصا التي يتكئان عليها. فإن لم يَرَياني ليلًا، فمن يدري إلى أيّ حالٍ من العجز قد يبلغان؟»
यम उवाच
The verse highlights dharma as responsibility toward one’s aged parents: being their ‘staff’ (support) and prioritizing their safety and well-being, especially when they are vulnerable.
Yama speaks of his elderly parents and expresses concern that if they do not see him at night, they may fall into a helpless condition—underscoring his role as their essential support.