Shloka 3
Jatugṛha-dāhānantara-vṛttāntaḥ
Aftermath of the Lac House Fire
ततः पादाववच्छाद्य पटान्तेन ससम्भ्रम: । पुत्रेति परिपूर्णार्थमब्रवीद् रथसारथि:,अधिरथने अपने दोनों पैरोंको कपड़ेके छोरसे छिपा लिया और “बेटा! बेटा!” पुकारते हुए अपनेको कृतार्थ समझा
tataḥ pādāv avacchādya paṭāntena sasambhramaḥ | putreti paripūrṇārtham abravīd rathasārathiḥ ||
Então o cocheiro, em súbita comoção, cobriu os próprios pés com a ponta do manto e, clamando “Filho! Filho!”, sentiu-se plenamente realizado—como se seu intento estivesse cumprido, o coração satisfeito pela simples afirmação da paternidade e pela aceitação do filho diante dele.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of acceptance and care: a guardian’s heartfelt recognition—calling someone “son”—can confer belonging and dignity, even amid social anxieties about status and origin.
In Vaishampayana’s narration, the charioteer (understood in context as Adhiratha) hurriedly covers his feet with his garment and repeatedly calls out “Son! Son!”, expressing intense emotion and a sense of fulfillment at receiving/accepting the child as his own.