Shloka 29
कृपकृपी-जननम्
The Birth of Kṛpa and Kṛpī; Kṛpa’s Attainment of Astras
इष्टं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं नियमश्न स्वनुछ्ित: । सर्वमेवानपत्यस्य न पावनमिहोच्यते,“सम्पूर्ण लोकोंमें संतान ही धर्ममयी प्रतिष्ठा है--कुन्ती! सदा धर्मका प्रतिपादन करनेवाले धीर पुरुष ऐसा ही मानते हैं। संतानहीन मनुष्य इस लोकमें यज्ञ, दान, तप और नियमोंका भलीभाँति अनुष्ठान कर ले, तो भी उसके किये हुए सब कर्म पवित्र नहीं कहे जाते
iṣṭaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ niyamaś ca svanuṣṭhitaḥ | sarvam evānapatyasya na pāvanam ihocyate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Even if a man without offspring has duly performed sacrifices, given gifts, practiced austerities, and observed disciplines well, still all of it is not declared purifying for him in this world.” The statement underscores a social-ethical ideal in the epic world: continuity through progeny is treated as a central support of dharma and lasting standing in society, so childlessness is portrayed as a condition that diminishes the recognized fruit of otherwise meritorious acts.
वैशम्पायन उवाच