Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 38, Shloka 12
सगरस्य पुत्रलाभः
Sagara’s Boons, Progeny, and the Rise of the Sixty Thousand
एको वंशकरो वाऽस्तु बहवो वा महाबला:।कीर्तिमन्तो महोत्साहा: का वा कं वरमिच्छति।।।।
eko vaṃśa-karo vā ’stu bahavo vā mahā-balāḥ | kīrtimanto mahotsāhāḥ kā vā kaṃ varam icchati || 1.38.12 ||
Ngài nói: “Các ngươi muốn một người con để nối dòng, hay muốn nhiều người con—đại lực, lừng danh, chí khí lớn? Trong hai người, ai chọn phúc ân nào?”
'What would you wish? One son who perpetuates the race or many possessed of mighty strength endowed with fame and perseverance?' (asked Bhrugu).
FAQs
Prioritizing rightful ends: sustaining a righteous lineage (vaṃśa) is presented as a distinct dharmic good alongside power and fame.
Bhṛgu frames the options of the boon so the queens can decide between a single dynastic heir or many powerful sons.
Prudence in choosing: the verse highlights discernment between quantity of power and continuity of rightful succession.