Shloka 39
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
स बाल एव पुरुषो मातामहमनुव्रत: । अधर्मांशोद्भवं मृत्युं तेनाभवदधार्मिक: ॥ ३९ ॥
sa bāla eva puruṣo mātāmaham anuvrataḥ adharmāṁśodbhavaṁ mṛtyuṁ tenābhavad adhārmikaḥ
Ese niño nació parcialmente en la dinastía de la irreligión. Su abuelo era la muerte personificada, y el niño creció como su seguidor; se convirtió en una persona sumamente irreligiosa.
The child’s mother, Sunīthā, was the daughter of death personified. Generally the daughter receives the qualifications of her father, and the son acquires those of the mother. So, according to the axiomatic truth that things equal to the same thing are equal to one another, the child born of King Aṅga became the follower of his maternal grandfather. According to smṛti-śāstra, a child generally follows the principles of his maternal uncle’s house. Narāṇāṁ mātula-karma means that a child generally follows the qualities of his maternal family. If the maternal family is very corrupt or sinful, the child, even though born of a good father, becomes a victim of the maternal family. According to Vedic civilization, therefore, before the marriage takes place an account is taken of both the boy’s and girl’s families. If according to astrological calculation the combination is perfect, then marriage takes place. Sometimes, however, there is a mistake, and family life becomes frustrating.
FAQs
This verse explains that when one’s disposition is rooted in a share of adharma and one follows improper guidance, one can become firmly irreligious and inclined toward destructive, death-dealing conduct.
To show that the prince’s early obedience and formation were shaped by his maternal line’s guidance, highlighting how the influence one follows can decisively mold one’s future dharmic or adharmic trajectory.
Choose mentors, values, and communities carefully—because the guidance we follow from an early stage strongly conditions our habits, ethics, and life direction.