Shloka 31
Pāṇḍu’s Marriages, Conquests, and Triumphal Return (पाण्डोर्विवाह-विजय-प्रत्यागमनम्)
मातापित्रो: प्रजायन्ते पुत्रा: साधारणा: कवे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | mātāpitroḥ prajāyante putrāḥ sādhāraṇāḥ kave |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O sage-poet, sons are born of both mother and father; therefore, the claim and responsibility over them are shared by both. Just as a father is lord and guardian of his sons, so too is the mother—there is no doubt. O brahmarṣi, by the ordinance of the Creator or by the merit of my former births, as you are my first son, so was Vicitravīrya my youngest son. Thus, as Bhīṣma is his brother by the father, so you too are Vicitravīrya’s brother by the mother. My child, this is my settled conviction; act as you judge best. And Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, valiant in truth, is indeed upholding truth.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Parenthood is shared: since a child is born from both mother and father, both possess equal moral authority and responsibility regarding the child. The passage also elevates satya (truthfulness) as a guiding dharma, exemplified by Bhīṣma.
A speaker argues that maternal relation establishes real brotherhood just as paternal relation does. On that basis, the addressee is urged to recognize Vicitravīrya as a brother through the same mother, while Bhīṣma is praised for adhering to truth and rightful conduct.