Shloka 9
पुष्ट्यर्थ च स्वपुत्रस्य राजपुत्रस्य चैव ह । फलमेकं सुतायादादू राजपुत्राय चापरम्,वह अपने बच्चेकी पुष्टिके लिये एक फल उसे देती तथा राजाके बेटेकी पुष्टिके लिये दूसरा फल उस राजकुमारको अर्पित कर देती थी
puṣṭyarthaṃ ca svaputrasya rājaputrasya caiva ha | phalam ekaṃ sutāyādād rājaputrāya cāparam ||
Bhīṣma said: Seeking nourishment and well-being for her own child, and likewise for the king’s son, she would give one fruit to her own son and offer another fruit to the prince.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma in everyday conduct: one should not let personal attachment erase one’s obligations, nor let duty become an excuse to neglect one’s own. Ethical balance and fairness are shown through equal, purposeful care for both children.
A woman is described as distributing two fruits—one to nourish her own child and another to nourish the king’s son—demonstrating attentive responsibility to both her family and the royal household.