Shloka 53
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
अथवास्तंगते सूर्ये संध्धाकाल उपस्थिते । ततो नेष्यथ वा पुत्रमिहस्था वा भविष्यथ
athavāstaṅgate sūrye sandhyākāla upasthite | tato neṣyatha vā putram ihasthā vā bhaviṣyatha ||
Jambuka said: “Or else, wait here until the sun has set and the hour of twilight has arrived. Then you may either take the boy with you, or remain here.”
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes restraint and careful timing: at a sensitive juncture (sunset/twilight), one should pause and then decide responsibly—either to take the child away or to remain—rather than act impulsively.
Jambuka addresses others and proposes a conditional plan tied to sunset and twilight: they should wait until that time arrives, and then choose between two courses of action regarding the boy—taking him along or staying there.