Shloka 25
Ruci and the Pitṛs: On Marriage, Debts (Ṛṇa), and Desireless Karma
रुचिरुवाच / वृद्धो ऽहं साम्प्रतं को मे पितरः सम्प्रिदास्यति / भार्यान्तथा दरिद्रस्य दुष्करो दारसंग्रहः
ruciruvāca / vṛddho 'haṃ sāmprataṃ ko me pitaraḥ sampridāsyati / bhāryāntathā daridrasya duṣkaro dārasaṃgrahaḥ
రుచిరుడు అన్నాడు—నేను ఇప్పుడు వృద్ధుడను; నా పితృదేవతలను ఎవరు తృప్తిపరచి ఆధారం ఇస్తారు? అలాగే దరిద్రునికి భార్యను స్వీకరించి పోషించడం నిజంగా దుష్కరం।
Rucira
Concept: Material limitation and old age create fear about sustaining household life; the verse frames the tension between dharmic injunction and practical capacity.
Vedantic Theme: Recognition of anitya (impermanence) and dependence; prompts reflection on dharma supported by right means and community.
Application: Plan life-stage duties with foresight—economic responsibility, community support, and ethical provisioning; seek guidance for dharmic living within one’s means.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: dialogue setting
Related Themes: Garuda Purana narratives where household duties intersect with pitṛ-obligations and personal limitations (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse highlights that marriage is not merely a social act but a responsibility—supporting dependents and sustaining a household requires capacity and duty-consciousness.
Indirectly, it frames human life as shaped by dharma and practical duties; such choices and responsibilities form the ethical ground that later connects to karmic outcomes described elsewhere in the Purana.
Take on major life commitments—marriage, dependents, and caregiving—with realistic planning and a sense of duty, ensuring you can provide stability rather than hardship.