Shloka 15
Adhyāya 96: Nārada Guides Mātali in Varuṇa’s Realm
Varuṇa-loka Darśana
धिक् खल्वलघुशीलानामुच्छितानां यशस्विनाम् । नराणां मृदुसत्त्वानां कुले कन्याप्ररोहणम्
dhik khalv alaghuśīlānām ucchitānāṁ yaśasvinām | narāṇāṁ mṛdusattvānāṁ kule kanyāprarohaṇam ||
Thật đáng hổ thẹn cho những kẻ đàn ông hèn mọn trong hạnh kiểm mà lại phồng mình vì danh tiếng—tâm can yếu đuối—khi trong nhà phải để một thiếu nữ “đâm chồi” như phương kế duy trì dòng dõi.
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse censures hollow prestige and weak moral courage: a family that boasts of fame yet lacks steadfast men is blamed when it must rely on extraordinary or socially fraught means—symbolized by ‘kanyāprarohaṇa’—to preserve lineage and status. True honor is grounded in character and responsibility, not mere reputation.
Kaṇva speaks in a tone of rebuke, criticizing certain men and their household situation. He points to a perceived disgrace: despite claims to renown, their lack of firmness leads to a problematic arrangement centered on a maiden within the family for the sake of continuing the line.