Shloka 14
Ruru’s Lament and the Lifespan Exchange for Pramadvarā (रुरु–प्रमद्वरा आयुर्विभागः)
धर्मराजायुषो<र्धेन रुरोर्भार्या प्रमद्धरा । समुत्तिषठतु कल्याणी मृतैवं यदि मन््यसे,“धर्मराज! रुरुकी भार्या कल्याणी प्रमद्वरा मर चुकी है। यदि आप मान लें तो वह रुरुकी आधी आयुसे जीवित हो जाय”
dharmarājāyuṣo 'rdhena ruror bhāryā pramaddharā | samuttiṣṭhatu kalyāṇī mṛtaivam yadi manyase ||
The divine messenger said: “O Dharmarāja, Ruru’s wife, the virtuous Pramadvarā, lies dead. If you consent, let the auspicious lady rise again to life by taking half of your lifespan.”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
Life, death, and justice are shown as governed by dharma, yet compassion can operate within that order through a morally weighty exchange: restoring life requires a real sacrifice, emphasizing responsibility and the cost of reversing fate.
A divine messenger addresses Dharmarāja (Yama) about Pramadvarā, Ruru’s wife, who has died, and proposes that she be revived if Dharmarāja agrees to give (or allow the giving of) half of his lifespan as the condition for her return.