Shloka 30
Āśramadharma and the Marks of the Muni
Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Saṃvāda
प्रकृतय ऊचु: यः पुत्रो गुणसम्पन्नो मातापित्रोर्हित: सदा । सर्वमरहति कल्याणं कनीयानपि सत्तम:,प्रजावर्गके लोग बोले--जो पुत्र गुणवान् और सदा माता-पिताका हितैषी हो, वह छोटा होनेपर भी श्रेष्ठतम है। वही सम्पूर्ण कल्याणका भागी होनेयोग्य है
prakṛtaya ūcuḥ | yaḥ putro guṇasampanno mātāpitror hitaḥ sadā | sarvam arhati kalyāṇaṃ kanīyān api sattamaḥ ||
The leading citizens said: “That son who is endowed with virtues and is ever devoted to the welfare of his mother and father—though he be the younger— is the best among the good. He alone deserves every kind of well-being and auspicious fortune.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit is measured by character and dutiful conduct, not by age or seniority: a son who is virtuous and consistently seeks his parents’ welfare is truly the best and deserves prosperity.
The people (subjects/citizens) voice a judgment about rightful excellence: they publicly affirm that even a younger son should be regarded as superior if he possesses virtues and remains devoted to his parents’ good.