Shloka 17
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
गर्भाच्चोद्विजमानानां क्रुद्धादाशीविषादिव । आयुष्मान् जायते पुत्र: कथं प्रेत इवाभवत्,बहुत-से मनुष्य बच्चा पैदा होनेसे उसी तरह डरते हैं, जैसे क्रोधमें भरे हुए विषधर सर्पसे लोग भयभीत रहते हैं, तथापि उनके यहाँ दीर्घजीवी पुत्र उत्पन्न होता है और क्या मजाल है कि वह कभी किसी तरह रोग आदिसे मृतकतुल्य हो सके
garbhāccodvijamānānāṁ kruddhād āśīviṣādiva | āyuṣmān jāyate putraḥ kathaṁ preta ivābhavat ||
Dijo Nārada: «Aunque muchos se estremecen de miedo ante la sola idea de la concepción y el parto—como hombres aterrados por una serpiente venenosa encolerizada—, aun así les nace un hijo longevo. ¿Cómo, entonces, podría volverse “como un muerto”, como si la enfermedad o la desgracia lo abatieran?»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between human fear surrounding conception and childbirth and the actual outcome that life can still arise with strength and longevity. It questions fatalistic thinking—if a child is born endowed with life, why presume he must become ‘as good as dead’ through illness—inviting steadiness, hope, and a more dharmic, non-panicked outlook toward life’s uncertainties.
Nārada is speaking and uses a vivid simile: people fear pregnancy/childbirth like they fear an enraged venomous snake. Yet, despite such fear, a long-lived son is born; therefore Nārada challenges the idea that the child could later become ‘preta-like’ (as if dead) due to disease or misfortune.