Shloka 4
अदारा-नीति
Crisis Composure) and ‘Jaya’ Śravaṇa (Morale-Instruction
किमाभरणकृत्येन कि भोगैर्जीवितेन वा । मयि वा संगरहते प्रियपुत्रे विशेषत:
kim ābharaṇakṛtyena kiṁ bhogair jīvitena vā | mayi vā saṅgrahate priyaputre viśeṣataḥ ||
Wika ng anak: “Ano ang silbi ng mga alahas, ano ang silbi ng mga layaw, maging ang buhay—kung ako, ang pinakaminamahal mong anak, ay mapapatay sa labanan? Kapag ako’y bumagsak, mawawalan ng saysay sa iyo ang mga ari-arian at ligayang iyan.”
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how worldly goods—ornaments, pleasures, even one’s own continued life—can become meaningless when the dearest relationship is lost. It underscores the ethical and emotional cost of war and the fragility of value grounded in attachment.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, the son addresses a parent, arguing that if he is killed in battle, the parent will gain no real happiness from wealth, enjoyment, or survival itself—thus stressing the personal stakes behind the impending conflict.