Shloka 37
Vyāsa’s Counsel to the Concealed Pāṇḍavas; Śaṃkara’s Boon and the Predestination of Draupadī
Chapter 157
मन्यन्ते केचिदथशिकं स्नेहं पुत्रे पितुर्नरा: । कन्यायां केचिदपरे मम तुल्यावुभौ स्मृतो,कुछ लोग ऐसा मानते हैं कि पिताका अधिक स्नेह पुत्रपर होता है तथा कुछ दूसरे लोग पुत्रीपर ही अधिक स्नेह बताते हैं; किंतु मेरे लिये तो दोनों ही समान हैं
manyante kecid athaśikaṃ snehaṃ putre pitur narāḥ | kanyāyāṃ kecid apare mama tulyāv ubhau smṛtau ||
Manche meinen, die Zuneigung eines Vaters sei größer zum Sohn; andere wiederum behaupten, sie sei größer zur Tochter. Für mich jedoch gelten beide als gleich.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches impartiality in parental duty: a parent should not privilege son over daughter (or vice versa) based on social opinion, but should regard both children with equal affection and responsibility.
A Brahmin speaker comments on differing public views about whether fathers love sons or daughters more, and then states his own stance: for him, both are equal—framing a moral position within a broader discussion of right conduct.