Shloka 4
स्तम्बमित्र उवाच ज्येष्ठस्तातो भवति वै ज्येष्ठो मुजचति कृच्छृत: । ज्येष्ठश्नेन्न प्रजानाति कनीयान् कि करिष्यति,स्तम्बमित्र बोला--बड़ा भाई पिताके तुल्य है, बड़ा भाई ही संकटसे छुड़ाता है। यदि बड़ा भाई ही आनेवाले भय और उससे बचनेके उपायको न जाने तो छोटा भाई क्या करेगा?
stambhamitra uvāca | jyeṣṭhas tāto bhavati vai jyeṣṭho muñcati kṛcchrataḥ | jyeṣṭhaś cen na prajānāti kanīyān kiṁ kariṣyati ||
斯坦婆密多说道：“长兄实如父亲；救人脱离困厄者，正是长兄。然若长兄自身不知将至之惧与避护之方，幼弟又能如何？”
स्तम्बमित्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the dharma of seniority: the eldest sibling bears father-like responsibility to guide and protect. If the one entrusted with foresight and leadership lacks discernment, those dependent on him are left without refuge—highlighting the ethical weight of leadership.
Stambhamitra is making an argument about family hierarchy and reliance: the younger depends on the elder for rescue from danger. He stresses that when the elder fails to recognize impending threats and the means to avert them, the younger has little capacity to act independently.