Shloka 5
रक्षांसि तानीति निवार्य पुत्र विभाण्डकस्तां मृगयाम्बभूव । नासादयामास यदा तःयहेण तदा स पर्याववृते55श्रमाय,'ऐसी वस्तुएँ लानेवाले राक्षस ही हैं।। ऐसा कहकर विभाण्डक मुनिने पुत्रको उससे मिलने-जुलनेसे मना कर दिया और स्वयं उस वेश्याकी खोज करने लगे। तीन दिनोंतक ढूँढ़नेपर भी जब वे उसका पता न लगा सके, तब आश्रमपर लौट आये
rakṣāṃsi tānīti nivārya putra vibhāṇḍakas tāṃ mṛgayām babhūva | nāsādayāmāsa yadā tasyāheṇa tadā sa paryāvavṛte śramāya ||
Saying, “Those must be rākṣasas,” Vibhāṇḍaka restrained his son from associating with her and set out himself to search for the woman. But when, even after days of seeking, he could not find her, he turned back to the hermitage, weary and frustrated. The episode underscores a father’s protective duty and the ascetic’s vigilance against deceptive influences that can disturb a life of restraint.
विभाण्डक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights protective dharma: a guardian must prevent harmful associations and remain vigilant against deceptive forces that can undermine restraint and spiritual discipline.
Vibhāṇḍaka suspects demonic agency behind the alluring gifts/approach, forbids his son from contact, searches for the woman himself, fails to locate her after sustained effort, and returns to the hermitage exhausted.