Shloka 21
Jarā’s Account and the Enthronement of Jarāsandha (जरासंधोत्पत्तिः अभिषेकश्च)
न च वंशकर: पुत्रस्तस्याजायत कश्नन । मड्लैर्बहुभिहोंमि: पुत्रकामाभिरिष्टिभि: । नाससाद नृपश्रेष्ठ: पुत्रं कुलविवर्धनम्
na ca vaṁśakaraḥ putras tasyājāyata kaścana | maṅgalair bahubhir homaiḥ putrakāmābhir iṣṭibhiḥ | nāsasāda nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ putraṁ kulavivardhanam ||
Et nul fils ne naquit pour lui afin d’assurer la continuité de la lignée. Bien que ce meilleur des rois accomplît maints rites fastes—de nombreuses oblations et des sacrifices entrepris dans le désir d’un fils—il n’obtint pourtant pas l’enfant qui eût fait grandir la maison.
कृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that ritual actions (maṅgala-kṛtya, homa, iṣṭi) performed merely to satisfy desire (putra-kāma) do not guarantee results; ethical and inner conditions, along with destiny, shape outcomes. It implicitly critiques being absorbed in sense-enjoyment while expecting ritual alone to secure lasting goods like lineage.
A certain eminent king remains without an heir. Even after conducting many auspicious ceremonies, fire-offerings, and son-seeking sacrifices, he still fails to obtain a son who would continue and strengthen the family line.