Shloka 20
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
न स पुत्राञउ्जनयितु दारान् मूढश्चिकीर्षति । तेन लम्बामहे गर्ते संतानस्य क्षयादिह,वह मूढ़ पुत्र उत्पन्न करनेके लिये किसी स्त्रीसे विवाह करना नहीं चाहता है। अत: वंशपरम्पराका विनाश होनेसे हम यहाँ इस गड्ढेमें लटक रहे हैं। हमारी रक्षा करनेवाला वह वंशधर मौजूद है, तो भी पापकर्मी मनुष्योंकी भाँति हम अनाथ हो गये हैं। साधुशिरोमणे! तुम कौन हो जो हमारे बन्धु-बान्धवोंकी भाँति हमलोगोंकी इस दयनीय दशाके लिये शोक कर रहे हो? ब्रह्म! हम यह जानना चाहते हैं कि तुम कौन हो जो आत्मीयकी भाँति यहाँ हमारे पास खड़े हो? सत्पुरुषोंमें श्रेष्ठ हम शोचनीय प्राणियोंके लिये तुम क्यों शोकमग्न होते हो
na sa putrān janayituṁ dārān mūḍhaś cikīrṣati | tena lambāmahe garte santānasya kṣayād iha ||
He, deluded, does not wish to take a wife in order to beget sons. Therefore, because the line of descendants is being cut off, we are left hanging here in this pit. Though a protector of the lineage exists, we have become like the helpless—like sinners bereft of refuge. O best of the virtuous! Who are you, grieving for our wretched condition as if you were our own kinsman? O Brahman, we wish to know who you are, standing here near us with the concern of a relative—why do you mourn for us, pitiable beings?
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic importance of sustaining lineage through marriage and progeny, portraying refusal to do so as delusion that harms not only oneself but also one’s ancestors and dependents. It also frames compassion as a mark of the virtuous—prompting inquiry into the identity of one who grieves for others like a kinsman.
A group of afflicted beings describe their suffering as being ‘hung in a pit’ due to the impending break in their line of descendants. They blame a deluded person who will not marry to produce heirs, and they question a compassionate Brahman-like figure who stands near them mourning their plight, asking who he is and why he cares.