Mahabharata — Adi Parva, Shloka 35
कृपकृपी-जननम्
The Birth of Kṛpa and Kṛpī; Kṛpa’s Attainment of Astras
पूर्वपूर्वतमाभावं मत्वा लिप्सेत वै सुतम् । उत्तमादवरा: पुंस: काडुशक्षन्ते पुत्रमापदि
pūrvapūrvātamābhāvaṁ matvā lipseta vai sutam | uttamād avarāḥ puṁsaḥ kāṅkṣante putram āpadi ||
ಮೊದಲು ಹೇಳಿದ ಪುತ್ರನ ಅಭಾವವನ್ನು ಮನಗಂಡು ಮಾತ್ರ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪುತ್ರನನ್ನು ಬಯಸಬೇಕು. ಆಪತ್ತಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಳಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ಪುರುಷನೂ ಉನ್ನತಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ಪುರುಷನ ಮೂಲಕ ಪುತ್ರೋತ್ಪತ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಬಯಸಬಹುದು।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames procreation and lineage-continuity as a dharmic concern, while also indicating that in āpaddharma (emergency conditions) social restrictions may be relaxed; such exceptions are presented as situational allowances, not general ideals.
Vaiśaṃpāyana states a rule-like observation about seeking a son when earlier sons are absent, and notes that in times of crisis even lower-status men may seek offspring through a higher-status man—reflecting a discussion of exceptional norms under distress.