Shloka 20
न जहीौ पुत्रशोकार्ता जरिता खाण्डवे सुतान् । बभार चैतान् संजातान् स्ववृत्त्या स््नेहविप्लवा
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: na jahau putraśokārtā Jaritā Khāṇḍave sutān | babhāra caitān saṃjātān svavṛttyā snehaviplavā ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Dahil sa matinding dalamhati para sa kanyang mga anak, hindi iniwan ni Jaritā ang kanyang mga anak na lalaki sa gubat ng Khāṇḍava. Nayayanig at natangay ng pag-ibig ng isang ina, inalagaan at pinalaki niya ang mga bagong silang sa sarili niyang kakayahan, at tumangging ituring silang mga itinakwil.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical impulse aligned with dharma: the vulnerable—especially newborn children—are not to be discarded. Even amid grief and hardship, Jaritā’s steadfast care models responsibility and compassion, showing how parental duty can override abandonment.
In the Khāṇḍava forest episode, Jaritā, distressed for her offspring, refuses to leave her newborn sons behind. Overcome by affection, she continues to sustain and raise them through her own efforts.