Shloka 102

अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति

Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence

Devanagari script

वरं कूपशताद्‌ वापी वरं वापीशतात्‌ क्रतुः । वरं क्रतुशतात्‌ पुत्र: सत्यं पुत्रशतादू वरम्‌,सौ कुएँ खोदवानेकी अपेक्षा एक बावड़ी बनवाना उत्तम है। सौ बावड़ियोंकी अपेक्षा एक यज्ञ कर लेना उत्तम है। सौ यज्ञ करनेकी अपेक्षा एक पुत्रको जन्म देना उत्तम है और सौ पुत्रोंकी अपेक्षा भी सत्यका पालन श्रेष्ठ है

Transliteration

varaṁ kūpaśatād vāpī varaṁ vāpīśatāt kratuḥ | varaṁ kratuśatāt putraḥ satyaṁ putraśatād varam ||

Translation

Duṣyanta declares a hierarchy of merit: better than digging a hundred wells is building a single stepwell; better than a hundred stepwells is performing one sacrificial rite; better than a hundred sacrifices is the birth of a son; and even better than a hundred sons is steadfast truthfulness. In context, the king underscores that social and ritual goods culminate in the supreme ethical value—keeping truth—especially when one’s word and duty are being tested.

Word by Word

• {'varam': 'better, preferable', 'kūpa': 'well', 'śata': 'hundred', 'vāpī': 'stepwell, large water-reservoir (often with steps)', 'kratuḥ': 'Vedic sacrifice

• sacrificial rite', 'putraḥ': 'son

• offspring (also bearer of lineage and duties)', 'satyam': 'truth

• fidelity to one’s word', 'śatāt': 'than a hundred (ablative of comparison)'}

Speaker

दुष्यन्त उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Duṣyanta
• kūpa (well)
• vāpī (stepwell)
• kratu (sacrifice)
• putra (son)
• satya (truth)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Truthfulness (satya) is presented as the highest value, surpassing even great public works, ritual sacrifices, and the prized blessing of many sons; dharma ultimately rests on keeping one’s word.

What is happening in the narrative?

King Duṣyanta speaks while emphasizing the supremacy of satya, framing a graded comparison of merits to highlight that ethical integrity outweighs ritual and worldly attainments—an important point in the Duṣyanta–Śakuntalā episode where commitment and recognition are at stake.