Aniruddha Pathak Poet Quatrain

The too old, back in babe’s mould

As goes old scriptures’ guiding word, 
The elderly should sure be heard,
But never still those far too old--
Backward bound they be in babe’s mould.  
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Translation | 20.10.2025 | childhood, elderly/old, 

Note: This verse is taken form Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva wherein avenues for peace between the two warring cousins are explored. Duryodhan is advised to listen to the elderly. But this is his response. Here is the transliteration of the verse in Sanskrit: 
  
Shrotavyam khalu vrddhnaam  iti shaastra nidarshanam |
Na tu eva hi ati-vrddhaanaam  punah baalaa hi te mataah || Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva ||

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Ava Springs October 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM I haven't read the Mahabharata, I'm sorry to say. Within this poem is the wisdom to listen to elders - until they are too old and become children themselves again? Aniruddha Pathak October 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM Thanks, dear reader for the feedback. If you have not read Mahabharata there is nothing to be sorry about. Many even in India may not have. Mahabharata is an epic of hundred thousand quatrains. Even reading a few episodes is quite enlightening. What Duryodhan refers to is ati-vrddha, too old who are back to being infants. But your doubt is in place, and I have modified the title a bit. Thanks indeed.