Shloka 26
The Dialogue between Rukmāṅgada and Dharmāṅgada
नहि मेऽन्यः स्मृतो धर्मस्त्वद्वाक्यकरणं विना । पितुर्वाक्यमकुर्वाणः कुर्वन्धर्मानधो व्रजेत् ॥ २६ ॥
nahi me'nyaḥ smṛto dharmastvadvākyakaraṇaṃ vinā | piturvākyamakurvāṇaḥ kurvandharmānadho vrajet || 26 ||
त्वद्वाक्यकरणं विना मेऽन्यो धर्मः स्मृतो न हि। पितुर्वाक्यमकुर्वाणः, कुर्वन् धर्मान् अपि अधो व्रजेत्॥
Unspecified (a son/speaker affirming obedience to the father’s command within the narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It elevates obedience to a rightful elder’s command—especially a father’s word—as a core expression of dharma; neglecting it nullifies the merit of other ‘righteous’ actions and leads to spiritual decline.
By stressing faithful compliance with an authority’s word, it mirrors bhakti’s essential discipline: honoring and acting upon the beloved Lord’s (or guru’s) injunctions rather than selectively practicing religious deeds.
It reflects dharma-śāstra and sadācāra (normative conduct) principles rather than a technical Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is that ethical authority and injunction (vidhi/ājñā) guide the proper fruit of rituals and virtues.