Shloka 18
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
देवानिष्टवा तपस्तप्त्वा कृपणै: पुत्रगृद्धिभि: । दश मासान् परिधृता जायन्ते कुलपांसना:
devāniṣṭvā tapastaptvā kṛpaṇaiḥ putragṛddhibhiḥ | daśa māsān paridhṛtā jāyante kulapāṃsanāḥ ||
Nārada dit : «Après avoir vénéré les dieux et pratiqué les austérités, ces malheureux—poussés par une avidité cupide d’avoir des fils—portent la grossesse dix mois ; et pourtant ce qui naît, ce sont des “souilleurs de la lignée” : des enfants qui apportent honte et ruine morale à leur race.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit from worship and austerity is undermined when driven by selfish craving—especially obsession with having sons. Intention matters: attachment and greed can yield harmful outcomes, producing descendants who disgrace the family rather than uphold dharma.
Nārada is admonishing a mindset that treats religious acts and austerities as tools to obtain sons. He warns that such pitiable, desire-driven striving can result in offspring who become a burden and a stain upon the lineage.