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 ||
可耻啊！那些行止卑琐却因虚名而自满、心志柔弱的男子；当其家族竟以养育一位少女使其“萌芽生长”来延续宗脉与名誉之时，尤为可耻。
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.