Shloka 40
अव्यक्त–प्रकृति–इन्द्रियविचारः
The Unmanifest, Prakṛtis, and the Sense-Complex
माता पुत्र: पिता भ्राता भार्या मित्रजनस्तथा | अष्टापदपदस्थाने लक्षमुद्रेव लक्ष्यते
mātā putraḥ pitā bhrātā bhāryā mitra-janās tathā | aṣṭāpada-pada-sthāne lakṣa-mudreva lakṣyate ||
帕罗沙罗说道：“母亲、儿子、父亲、兄弟、妻子，乃至朋友之众——当真正的尺度在前时，他们便如同一枚漆制的代币，被放在本该置金钱之处。”此偈警示：世间亲缘虽可爱，若以真理与法（dharma）的高衡来称量，便可能显得轻薄无实；尤其当执著取代了明辨之时。
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches discernment: even the closest relationships can become ‘counterfeit’ in value when judged against the true standard of dharma and inner truth. It cautions against mistaking emotional attachment for ultimate worth.
Parāśara is delivering an instructive reflection in the Śānti Parva, using a monetary metaphor—gold coin versus lacquer token—to illustrate how worldly ties may appear inferior or illusory when one’s perspective is aligned with higher ethical and spiritual standards.