Shloka 90
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
विषयेष्वनभिशज्ञो5हं धर्मार्थ किल संतति: । एवं लोकान् गमिष्यामि पुत्रैरिति न संशय:
viṣayeṣv anabhiśajño 'haṃ dharmārtha kila santatiḥ | evaṃ lokān gamiṣyāmi putrair iti na saṃśayaḥ ||
Aṣṭāvakra sprach: „Ich bin keiner, der in Sinnesobjekten bewandert oder in sie verstrickt ist; vielmehr heißt es, meine ‘Nachkommenschaft’ sei Dharma und Artha. So werde ich die höheren Welten erreichen—durch solche ‘Söhne’—daran besteht kein Zweifel.“
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
True ‘progeny’ can be understood as one’s cultivated virtues and rightful conduct—dharma and artha—rather than mere biological continuation. Detachment from sense-pleasures and commitment to ethical aims are presented as sufficient to secure auspicious spiritual outcomes.
Aṣṭāvakra speaks in a didactic context, redefining the idea of lineage: he claims he is not devoted to sense-enjoyments, and asserts that his continuation is dharma and artha. On that basis he expresses confidence of attaining higher worlds, as though supported by ‘sons’—here a metaphor for ethical and disciplined life.