Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 25
कथं ते किं नु सद्वृत्ता दुर्वृत्ताः किं नु मे सुताः ॥ २५ ॥
kathaṁ tē kiṁ nu sadvṛttā durvṛttāḥ kiṁ nu mē sutāḥ || 25 ||
Translation
'How are they? Are my sons well-behaved, or are they wicked?'
Word by word
- kathaṁ
- how?
- tē
- they
- kiṁ nu
- whether
- sadvṛttāḥ
- well-behaved, virtuous
- durvṛttāḥ
- ill-behaved, wicked
- mē
- my
- sutāḥ
- sons
Meaning
His internal monologue continues, questioning the moral character of his sons. This shows a complex mix of lingering paternal care and a desire for validation that his suffering was caused by truly 'wicked' (durvṛttāḥ) beings, perhaps to justify his own continued attachment.