Shloka 19
नरनारायण-नारदसंवादः
Nara-Nārāyaṇa–Nārada Discourse on Vision, Elements, and Entry into Vāsudeva
पुत्रकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले दीन स्त्री-पुरुषोंद्वारा देवताओंकी पूजा और तपस्या करके दस मासतक गर्भ धारण किया जाता है तथापि उनके कुलांगार पुत्र उत्पन्न होते हैं ।।
apare dhanadhānyāni bhogāṁś ca pitṛsañcitān | vipulān abhijāyante labdhās tair eva maṇḍalaiḥ ||
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ପୁତ୍ରକାମନାରେ ଦୀନ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ-ପୁରୁଷ ଦେବପୂଜା ଓ ତପ କରି ଦଶ ମାସ ଗର୍ଭ ଧାରଣ କରନ୍ତି; ତଥାପି ଜନ୍ମେ କୁଳକୁ ଦହାଇଦେବା (କୁଳାଙ୍ଗାର) ପୁତ୍ର। ଅନ୍ୟପଟେ ଅନେକେ ସୁଖ-ଭୋଗରେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇ, ପ୍ରୟାସ ବିନା ପିତୃସଞ୍ଚିତ ଅପାର ଧନ-ଧାନ୍ୟ ଓ ବିପୁଳ ଭୋଗର ଅଧିକାରୀ ହୋଇଯାନ୍ତି।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly results are not proportionate to visible effort: some gain prosperity and pleasures merely by birth into a fortunate family, while others may strive intensely yet not receive the hoped-for outcomes. Therefore, dharma should be grounded in character and right understanding, not in expectation of guaranteed external rewards.
Nārada contrasts two life situations: people who inherit vast paternal wealth and enjoyments effortlessly, versus those who undergo hardship and religious striving for desired ends. The contrast serves as a reflective lesson in the Shānti Parva’s ethical discourse on human destiny, merit, and the limits of ritual as a means to control outcomes.