Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 8
Śaryāti, Sukanyā, Cyavana Muni, the Aśvinī-kumāras, and Kakudmī-Revatī
Baladeva Marriage
दुहितुस्तद् वच: श्रुत्वा शर्यातिर्जातसाध्वस: । मुनिं प्रसादयामास वल्मीकान्तर्हितं शनै: ॥ ८ ॥
duhitus tad vacaḥ śrutvā śaryātir jāta-sādhvasaḥ muniṁ prasādayām āsa valmīkāntarhitaṁ śanaiḥ
After hearing this statement by his daughter, King Śaryāti was very much afraid. In various ways, he tried to appease Cyavana Muni, for it was he who sat within the hole of the earthworm.
FAQs
This verse shows that when an offense is understood, one should approach the saintly person with humility and caution and sincerely seek to pacify them.
After hearing Sukanyā’s words, Śaryāti realized a grave mistake had occurred involving the sage (Cyavana), so he personally went to appease him, even though the sage was concealed within an anthill.
When we cause harm or disrespect—especially to spiritually advanced or virtuous people—we should not rationalize it; we should respond with humility, take responsibility, and make sincere amends.