Shloka 12

अदारा-नीति

Crisis Composure) and ‘Jaya’ Śravaṇa (Morale-Instruction

Devanagari script

रमते यस्तु पुत्रेण मोघं तस्य प्रजाफलम्‌ । अकुर्वन्तो हि कर्माणि कुर्वन्तो निन्दितानि च

Transliteration

ramate yastu putreṇa moghaṃ tasya prajāphalam | akurvanto hi karmāṇi kurvanto ninditāni ca

Translation

కానీ ఎవడు కేవలం తన కుమారునిలోనే మునిగిపోతాడో, అతని సంతానఫలం వ్యర్థమవుతుంది; ఎందుకంటే వారు కర్తవ్యకర్మలను చేయరు, చేసినా నింద్యకర్మలనే చేస్తారు.

Word by Word

रमतेdelights, takes pleasure

यःwho

तुbut/indeed

पुत्रेणby/with (his) son

मोघम्vain, fruitless

तस्यof him/that (person)

प्रजाफलम्the fruit of progeny (benefit of having children)

अकुर्वन्तःnot doing

हिindeed, for

कर्माणिduties, actions

कुर्वन्तःdoing

निन्दितानिblameworthy, censured

चand

Speaker

पुत्र उवाच

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Having a son is not, by itself, a meaningful ‘fruit’ unless it is connected with dharma: one must perform proper duties and avoid censured actions. Mere attachment or pride in progeny, without righteous conduct, renders the expected benefit of progeny futile.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Udyoga Parva’s counsel-laden context, the speaker identified as “the son” delivers a moral observation: people who simply delight in having a son but neglect rightful duties and commit blameworthy acts undermine the very purpose traditionally associated with progeny.