Shloka 21
The Dialogue between Rukmāṅgada and Dharmāṅgada
सौख्यमिच्छाम्यहं भोक्तुं मृगयादिसमुद्भवम् । न पानद्यूतजं पुत्र कामयेऽहं कदाचन ॥ २१ ॥
saukhyamicchāmyahaṃ bhoktuṃ mṛgayādisamudbhavam | na pānadyūtajaṃ putra kāmaye'haṃ kadācana || 21 ||
सौख्यमिच्छाम्यहं भोक्तुं मृगयादिसमुद्भवम् । न पानद्यूतजं पुत्र कामयेऽहं कदाचन ॥
A father/elder addressing his son (didactic narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
The verse distinguishes between comparatively mild worldly enjoyments and destructive vices, teaching that dharmic life requires rejecting pleasures that degrade awareness and lead to sin—especially intoxication and gambling.
By refusing pāna (intoxication) and dyūta (gambling), one preserves clarity, truthfulness, and steadiness—qualities essential for śraddhā, japa, and sustained Vishnu-bhakti.
It primarily conveys sadācāra (right conduct) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is behavioral discipline that supports mantra practice and ritual purity.