Shloka 90
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
कुलशोभाकर ं मूढा: पुत्र॑ त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथ । रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं द्योतमानमिव श्रिया
kulaśobhākaraṃ mūḍhāḥ putraṃ tyaktvā kva yāsyatha | rūpayauvanasampannaṃ dyotamānam iva śriyā ||
জম্বুক বলল: হে মূর্খেরা! বংশের শোভা এই পুত্রকে ত্যাগ করে তোমরা কোথায় যাবে? রূপ ও যৌবনে সমৃদ্ধ, সে যেন শ্রী-সমৃদ্ধির আলোয় দীপ্ত।
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
One must not abandon those under one’s care—especially a child. Dharma requires protection, compassion, and responsibility toward dependents; discarding them is condemned as delusion and moral failure.
Jambuka addresses people who have thrown away a child, scolding them and pointing out the child’s worth and auspiciousness. The verse functions as a sharp ethical rebuke meant to awaken conscience and restore proper conduct.