Shloka 35
कृपकृपी-जननम्
The Birth of Kṛpa and Kṛpī; Kṛpa’s Attainment of Astras
पूर्वपूर्वतमाभावं मत्वा लिप्सेत वै सुतम् । उत्तमादवरा: पुंस: काडुशक्षन्ते पुत्रमापदि
pūrvapūrvātamābhāvaṁ matvā lipseta vai sutam | uttamād avarāḥ puṁsaḥ kāṅkṣante putram āpadi ||
«Ce n’est qu’en l’absence des fils précédents qu’on peut désirer un autre fils. En temps de détresse, des hommes de rang inférieur peuvent même chercher à engendrer un fils par l’entremise d’un homme de rang supérieur : une tolérance d’urgence, non une règle ordinaire.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames procreation and lineage-continuity as a dharmic concern, while also indicating that in āpaddharma (emergency conditions) social restrictions may be relaxed; such exceptions are presented as situational allowances, not general ideals.
Vaiśaṃpāyana states a rule-like observation about seeking a son when earlier sons are absent, and notes that in times of crisis even lower-status men may seek offspring through a higher-status man—reflecting a discussion of exceptional norms under distress.