Shloka 20
Adhyāya 62: Sañjaya’s Admonition to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Rāja-dharma and Consequence
पुत्रात् पुण्यतरस्तुभ्यं मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथा: । अयज्वानमदाक्षिण्यमश्रि श्रैत्येत्युदाहरत्,उन्होंने अपने सुयशसे सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको व्याप्त करके पुण्यात्माओंके लोकोंमें पदार्पण किया। श्वैत्य सूंजय! वे पूर्वोक्त चारों कल्याणकारी गुणोंमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़े-चढ़े थे और तुम्हारे पुत्रसे भी अधिक पुण्यात्मा थे। जब वे भी मर गये तब औरोंकी क्या बात है। अतः तुम यज्ञ और दान-दक्षिणासे रहित अपने पुत्रके लिये शोक न करो। ऐसा नारदजीने कहा
putrāt puṇyataras tubhyaṃ mā putram anutapyathāḥ | ayajvān amadākṣiṇyam aśri śraity ety udāharat |
Nārada said: “There are those more meritorious than your own son—do not grieve for him. One who does not perform sacrifices and who gives no gifts or priestly fees is spoken of as falling into misfortune. Therefore, do not sink into sorrow for your son who was devoid of sacrifice and generosity.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Nārada redirects grief into ethical reflection: worldly loss is inevitable, and one should cultivate merit through yajña (sacrificial duty) and dāna/dakṣiṇā (generosity). Mourning should not eclipse the dharmic lesson that virtue and giving are the true supports.
Nārada addresses Sañjaya, urging him not to lament excessively for his son. He contrasts the son’s lack of sacrificial and charitable conduct with the ideal of meritorious living, using this as counsel to restrain sorrow and uphold dharma.