Shloka 25
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
मातापित्रोर्वचनकृद्धित: पथ्यश्च यः सुतः । स पुत्र: पुत्रवद् यश्न वर्तते पितृमातृषु,जो माता और पिताकी आज्ञा मानता है, उनका हित चाहता है, उनके अनुकूल चलता है तथा माता-पिताके प्रति पुत्रोचित बर्ताव करता है, वही वास्तवमें पुत्र है
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
mātāpitror vacanakṛd dhitaḥ pathyaś ca yaḥ sutaḥ |
sa putraḥ putravad yaś ca vartate pitṛmātṛṣu ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “The one who, as a son, carries out the words of his mother and father, seeks what is beneficial and wholesome for them, and conducts himself toward his parents with the proper affection and duty of a son—he alone is truly to be called a ‘son’.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ‘true son’ is defined not merely by birth but by conduct: obeying parents’ instructions, seeking their welfare, choosing what is wholesome for them, and behaving with proper filial respect and care—this is presented as dharma within the household.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a general ethical maxim is stated: the text pauses to articulate a standard of righteous family conduct, emphasizing that genuine sonship is proven through dutiful behavior toward one’s parents.