Shloka 413
Vyāsa’s Inquiry into Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Tapas and the Identification of Vidura with Dharma
तस्मात् पुत्रक गच्छ त्वं शिष्टमल्पं च नः प्रभो । “तुम लोगोंके रहनेसे हमलोगोंकी तपस्यामें विघ्न पड़ेगा। मैं तुम्हारे स्नेहपाशमें बँधकर उत्तम तपस्यासे गिर जाऊँगी
tasmāt putraka gaccha tvaṁ śiṣṭam alpaṁ ca naḥ prabho | "yuṣmākaṁ nivāsena asmākaṁ tapasyāyāṁ vighnaḥ bhaviṣyati | ahaṁ yuṣmat-snehapāśena baddhā uttama-tapasyāḥ cyaviṣye; ataḥ sāmarthyavān putra, gaccha | adhunā asmākaṁ āyuḥ bahu alpaṁ śeṣam"
Therefore, dear son, you must go—only a little time remains for us, O lordly one. “Your staying here will obstruct our austerities. Bound by affection for you, I would fall away from the highest discipline of penance. So, capable son, depart. Our lifespan is now very nearly spent.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even wholesome affection can become a binding force that distracts from one’s chosen dharma. When the goal is rigorous tapas and final detachment, one must reduce causes of emotional entanglement and protect the integrity of spiritual practice—especially near life’s end.
An elder (reported by Vaiśampāyana) urges a son to leave the forest hermitage. The reason given is that the son’s presence will hinder their austerities; affection would weaken their resolve, and their remaining lifespan is short, so they prioritize undisturbed penance.