Shloka 4
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Restraining Duryodhana (व्यास-धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
व्यास उवाच वैचित्रवीर्य नृपते सत्यमाह यथा भवान् | दृढं विद्य: परं पुत्र परं पुत्रान्न विद्यते,व्यासजी बोले--राजन्! विचित्रवीर्यनन्दन! तुम ठीक कहते हो, हम अच्छी तरह जानते हैं कि पुत्र परम प्रिय वस्तु है। पुत्रसे बढ़कर संसारमें और कुछ नहीं है
vyāsa uvāca vaicitryavīrya nṛpate satyam āha yathā bhavān | dṛḍhaṁ vidmaḥ paraṁ putra paraṁ putrān na vidyate ||
Vyāsa said: “O king, son of Vicitravīrya, you have spoken the truth, just as you have stated. We know with certainty, dear child, that a son is the highest treasure; in this world there is nothing greater than a son.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the traditional dharmic valuation of progeny—especially a son—as the highest worldly good for a householder-king, tied to continuity of lineage, social order, and the performance of familial and ancestral duties.
Vyāsa addresses a king identified as a descendant of Vicitravīrya, affirming that the king’s statement is true and emphasizing, with certainty, that nothing is regarded as greater than a son.