Shloka 13
Somaka–Jantu Ākhyāna: Desire-Driven Sacrifice and Shared Karmic Consequence
एतच्छुत्वा स राजर्षिध्धर्मराजमथाब्रवीत् । अठमत्र प्रवेक्ष्यामि मुच्यतां मम याजक:
etac chrutvā sa rājarṣir dharmarājam athābravīt | aṭham atra pravekṣyāmi mucyatāṃ mama yājakaḥ ||
فلما سمع ذلك، خاطب الحكيمُ الملكُ دهرماراجا قائلاً: «الآن سأدخل إلى هنا؛ فليُطلَق كاهني المُقيم للقرابين.»
लोगमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic responsibility: a virtuous person may accept personal risk or confinement to secure the rightful release of another, especially one connected to sacred duty (a yājaka). It underscores compassion guided by obligation and moral accountability.
After hearing prior information, a royal sage addresses Dharmarāja and declares his intention to enter a certain place (implying danger or confinement), requesting that his sacrificial priest be freed—suggesting an exchange where the speaker offers himself so the priest may be released.