Shloka 17
An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya
आगर्भसम्भवं गच्छेत्पतितस्त्वन्यथा भवेत् / अनेन विधिना जात क्षेत्रपस्य भवेत्सुतः
āgarbhasambhavaṃ gacchetpatitastvanyathā bhavet / anena vidhinā jāta kṣetrapasya bhavetsutaḥ
He should be regarded as “born from the womb,” a legitimate son; otherwise the man would be deemed fallen (patita). A son produced according to this prescribed procedure becomes the son of the kṣetrapa—the lawful husband, the ‘owner of the field’.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: When produced by the prescribed procedure, the child is legitimate and socially assigned to the lawful husband (kṣetrapa); deviation causes moral/social fall.
Vedantic Theme: Karma and dharma as structuring principles for social identity; legitimacy as a dharmic construct to prevent disorder and harm.
Application: Follow established ethical/legal procedures to prevent harm and stigma; ensure clarity of responsibility and guardianship for children.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma discussions on progeny status and consequences of deviation (general parallel motifs)
FAQs
This verse states that when birth occurs through an approved dharmic procedure, the child is legally and ritually counted as the son of the lawful husband (kṣetrapa), preserving lineage and social-religious legitimacy.
It links legitimacy of sonship to adherence to prescribed rules; if the procedure is not followed, the status is described as ‘patita’ (fallen), indicating a loss of recognized standing in dharmic terms.
It emphasizes that family responsibilities and lineage-related decisions should be guided by clear ethical/religious norms and social accountability, rather than secrecy or ad hoc arrangements.