Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
परेण हि हतान् ब्रह्मन् वराहमहिषानहम् । न स्वयं हन्मि विप्र्षे विक्रीणामि सदा त्वहम्,ब्रह्मन! मैं स्वयं किसी जीवकी हिंसा नहीं करता। सदा दूसरोंके मारे हुए सूअर और भैसोंका मांस बेचता हूँ
pareṇa hi hatān brahman varāha-mahiṣān aham | na svayaṁ hanmi viprarṣe vikrīṇāmi sadā tv aham ||
قال الصيّاد: «يا براهمن، إنّ هذه الخنازير البرّية والجاموس قد قتلها غيري. لستُ أنا من يقتل الكائنات الحيّة بيدي، أيّها الحكيم الموقَّر؛ إنما أبيع دائمًا لحمَ ما ذُبح على يد سواي.»
व्याध उवाच
The verse raises the ethical question of complicity: even if one does not directly kill, one may still be connected to harm through trade and livelihood. It frames a discussion on dharma, intention, and responsibility for actions supported or enabled.
The hunter (vyādha) responds to a Brahmin-sage’s moral scrutiny by defending his conduct: he claims he does not personally kill animals, but sells meat from boars and buffaloes killed by others—setting up a deeper examination of righteous conduct.