Vyāsa’s Inquiry into Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Tapas and the Identification of Vidura with Dharma
तस्मात् पुत्रक गच्छ त्वं शिष्टमल्पं च नः प्रभो । “तुम लोगोंके रहनेसे हमलोगोंकी तपस्यामें विघ्न पड़ेगा। मैं तुम्हारे स्नेहपाशमें बँधकर उत्तम तपस्यासे गिर जाऊँगी, अतः सामर्थ्यशाली पुत्र! चले जाओ। अब हमलोगोंकी आयु बहुत थोड़ी रह गयी है”
tasmāt putraka gaccha tvaṁ śiṣṭam alpaṁ ca naḥ prabho | "yuṣmākaṁ nivāsena asmākaṁ tapasyāyāṁ vighnaḥ bhaviṣyati | ahaṁ yuṣmat-snehapāśena baddhā uttama-tapasyāḥ cyaviṣye; ataḥ sāmarthyavān putra, gaccha | adhunā asmākaṁ āyuḥ bahu alpaṁ śeṣam"
Por tanto, hijo querido, debes marcharte—poco tiempo nos queda, oh señor. “Vuestra permanencia aquí estorbará nuestras austeridades. Atada por el lazo del afecto hacia ti, yo decaería de la más alta disciplina de la penitencia. Así pues, hijo capaz, parte. Nuestra vida está ya casi consumida.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even wholesome affection can become a binding force that distracts from one’s chosen dharma. When the goal is rigorous tapas and final detachment, one must reduce causes of emotional entanglement and protect the integrity of spiritual practice—especially near life’s end.
An elder (reported by Vaiśampāyana) urges a son to leave the forest hermitage. The reason given is that the son’s presence will hinder their austerities; affection would weaken their resolve, and their remaining lifespan is short, so they prioritize undisturbed penance.