Shloka 19
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
अस्माकं संततिस्त्वेको जरत्कारुरिति स्मृत: । मन्दभाग्यो5ल््पभाग्यानां तप एव समास्थित:,हमारी एक संतति बच गयी है, जिसका नाम है जरत्कारु। हम भाग्यहीनोंकी वह अभागी संतान केवल तपस्यामें ही संलग्न है
asmākaṁ santatis tv eko jaratkārur iti smṛtaḥ | mandabhāgyo ’lpabhāgyānāṁ tapa eva samāsthitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Śaunaka: “Sa aming angkan, iisa na lamang ang natitirang inapo, na kilala sa pangalang Jaratkāru. Palad na kapos—isinilang sa mga kakaunti ang suwerte—siya’y tumindig lamang sa pag-aayuno at mahigpit na pagninilay (tapas).”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between ascetic renunciation (tapas) and the responsibility of sustaining one’s lineage—an ethical concern in the Mahābhārata where personal spiritual pursuit can conflict with duties toward family and ancestors.
Śaunaka informs the listeners that only one descendant of their line remains—Jaratkāru—and that he lives devoted solely to austerities, implying anxiety about the continuation of the family line.