Mahabharata — Adi Parva, 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 ||
Dengan mempertimbangkan ketiadaan putra yang disebut lebih dahulu, barulah seseorang patut menginginkan putra yang berikutnya. Pada masa kesusahan, lelaki yang berkedudukan lebih rendah pun boleh mengharapkan kelahiran seorang putra melalui lelaki yang berkedudukan lebih tinggi—sebagai kelonggaran dalam keadaan darurat.
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.