Shloka 40
अव्यक्त–प्रकृति–इन्द्रियविचारः
The Unmanifest, Prakṛtis, and the Sense-Complex
माता पुत्र: पिता भ्राता भार्या मित्रजनस्तथा | अष्टापदपदस्थाने लक्षमुद्रेव लक्ष्यते
mātā putraḥ pitā bhrātā bhāryā mitra-janās tathā | aṣṭāpada-pada-sthāne lakṣa-mudreva lakṣyate ||
पराशर म्हणाले—माता, पिता, पुत्र, भाऊ, पत्नी आणि मित्रजन—जेव्हा सत्य-धर्माचा खरा मापदंड समोर असतो, तेव्हा हे सर्व सुवर्णमुद्रेच्या जागी ठेवलेल्या लाखेच्या मुद्रेसारखे भासतात.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches discernment: even the closest relationships can become ‘counterfeit’ in value when judged against the true standard of dharma and inner truth. It cautions against mistaking emotional attachment for ultimate worth.
Parāśara is delivering an instructive reflection in the Śānti Parva, using a monetary metaphor—gold coin versus lacquer token—to illustrate how worldly ties may appear inferior or illusory when one’s perspective is aligned with higher ethical and spiritual standards.