Shloka 16
सुमहत्यपराधेऊपि क्षान्ति: कार्या द्विजातिभि: | यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं पूजा ग्राह्मा द्विजोत्तम,“विप्रवर! सेवकका महान् अपराध होनेपर भी ब्राह्मणोंको क्षमा करनी चाहिये तथा शक्ति और उत्साहके अनुसार उनके द्वारा की हुई सेवा-पूजा स्वीकार कर लेनी चाहिये”
sumahaty aparādhe 'pi kṣāntiḥ kāryā dvijātibhiḥ | yathāśakti yathotsāhaṃ pūjā grāhyā dvijottama ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: «حتى إذا ارتكب الخادم ذنبًا عظيمًا جدًّا، فعلى ذوي الميلادين أن يمارسوا العفو. وأيها البراهمن الأفضل، فليقبلوا الخدمة وأعمال التوقير التي تُقدَّم لهم، على قدر طاقة الخادم وبحسب صدق همّته.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches kṣānti (forgiveness) as a key dharmic discipline for the dvija community: even when a dependent commits a serious fault, one should restrain anger, forgive, and accept whatever respectful service is offered, judging it by the person’s capacity and sincerity rather than by perfection.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a norm of conduct is being stated for Brahmins/elders: how they should respond to wrongdoing by a servant or subordinate—by maintaining forbearance and receiving the person’s attempted acts of honour and service in proportion to their ability and earnestness.