Shloka 58
Aṣṭāvakra’s Visit to Kubera: Hospitality, Temptation, and the Ethics of Restraint (अष्टावक्र-वैश्रवणोपाख्यानम्)
तान् विसृज्य च मां प्राह पिता सास्राविलेक्षण: । प्रणमन्तं परिष्वज्य मूर्ध्न्युपाप्राय पाण्डव
tān visṛjya ca māṃ prāha pitā sāśrāvilekṣaṇaḥ | praṇamantaṃ pariṣvajya mūrdhny upāghrāya pāṇḍava ||
Pagkatapos paalisin sila, nagsalita sa akin ang aking ama—ang mga mata’y naliliman ng luha. Nang ako’y yumukod sa paggalang, niyakap niya ako at hinalikan ang tuktok ng aking ulo, O anak ni Pāṇḍu. Ipinapakita ng tagpong iyon ang marahang pag-ibig ng isang ama at ang bigat ng dharma sa paghihiwalay: nagpapatuloy ang tungkulin, ngunit pinabanal ng pagpapala, pagpipigil, at taos-pusong habag.
गालव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct within family life: reverence shown by the son through praṇāma, and the father’s compassionate blessing through embrace and a kiss on the head. Duty and separation are tempered by affection, restraint, and the transmission of moral support.
Gālava recounts that after others were sent away, his father—tearful—addressed him. As Gālava bowed, the father embraced him and kissed his head, indicating an emotionally charged farewell and a blessing before the next step in Gālava’s undertaking.