Shloka 83
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
इत्युक्तास्ते सुतं त्यक्त्वा भूमौ शोकपरिप्लुता: । दहामाना: सुतस्नेहात् प्रययुर्बान्धवा गृहम्
ity uktās te sutaṃ tyaktvā bhūmau śokapariplutāḥ | dahamānāḥ sutasnehāt prayayur bāndhavā gṛham ||
Thus addressed, those kinsmen—overwhelmed by grief—laid the son down upon the ground and, scorched by their attachment to him, turned back and went home.
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical-psychological truth that attachment (sneha) can become a source of inner burning when confronted with loss; it implicitly points toward steadiness and discernment as antidotes to grief-driven collapse.
After hearing Jambuka’s words, the relatives—drowned in sorrow—set the boy down on the ground and, tormented by love for him, leave the scene and return to their home.