Shloka 38
Vyāsa’s Counsel to the Concealed Pāṇḍavas; Śaṃkara’s Boon and the Predestination of Draupadī
Chapter 157
यस्यां लोकाः प्रसूतिश्व स्थिता नित्यमथो सुखम् । अपापां तामहं बालां कथमुत्स्रष्टमुत्सहे,जिसपर पुण्यलोक, वंशपरम्परा और नित्य सुख--सब कुछ सदा निर्भर रहते हैं, उस निष्पाप बालिकाका परित्याग मैं कैसे कर सकता हूँ
yasyāṁ lokāḥ prasūtiś ca sthitā nityam atho sukham | apāpāṁ tām ahaṁ bālāṁ katham utsraṣṭum utsahe ||
เมื่อโลกแห่งบุญ ความสืบต่อแห่งวงศ์ และความสุขอันยั่งยืน ล้วนพึ่งพาอยู่ที่นาง แล้วเราจะทอดทิ้งเด็กหญิงผู้บริสุทธิ์ไร้มลทินนั้นได้อย่างไร
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames abandonment of an innocent dependent as an adharma: the speaker links the child to the continuity of lineage (prasūti), merit-bearing realms (lokāḥ), and lasting well-being (nitya sukha), implying that protecting the blameless is a moral duty that sustains both family and social order.
A Brahmin, speaking in a moment of moral conflict, refuses the idea of casting off a sinless young girl, arguing that many goods—progeny, merit, and happiness—are founded upon her, and therefore he cannot bring himself to abandon her.