Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
कुलशोभाकर ं मूढा: पुत्र॑ त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथ । रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं द्योतमानमिव श्रिया
kulaśobhākaraṃ mūḍhāḥ putraṃ tyaktvā kva yāsyatha | rūpayauvanasampannaṃ dyotamānam iva śriyā ||
جمبوک نے کہا: اے نادانو! خاندان کی زینت اس بیٹے کو چھوڑ کر تم کہاں جاؤ گے؟ یہ حسن و شباب سے آراستہ ہے اور گویا خود دولت و اقبال کی روشنی سے جگمگا رہا ہے۔
जम्बुक उवाच
One must not abandon those under one’s care—especially a child. Dharma requires protection, compassion, and responsibility toward dependents; discarding them is condemned as delusion and moral failure.
Jambuka addresses people who have thrown away a child, scolding them and pointing out the child’s worth and auspiciousness. The verse functions as a sharp ethical rebuke meant to awaken conscience and restore proper conduct.