Shloka 30
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
ऋषय ऊचु: प्रीता: सम तव वाक्येन न त्विच्छामस्तपोव्ययम् । तैरेव यज्जैस्तुष्टा: सम न्यायेनेच्छामहे वयम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ: prītāḥ sma tava vākyena na tv icchāmas tapovyayam | tair eva yajñais tuṣṭāḥ sma nyāyenecchāmahe vayam ||
ঋষিগণ বললেন—মহর্ষে, আপনার বাক্যে আমরা সন্তুষ্ট; আমরা আপনার তপস্যার ক্ষয় চাই না। আপনার সেই যজ্ঞেই আমরা তৃপ্ত, এবং ন্যায়সঙ্গত উপায়ে অর্জিত অন্নই আমরা কামনা করি।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when offered more, the wise choose what is dharmic: they avoid causing loss of another’s tapas (ascetic merit) and accept only what is gained and given through nyāya—rightful, just means.
A group of sages respond to a revered figure’s words, expressing satisfaction and declining anything that would diminish his ascetic power; they ask only for sustenance that is properly acquired and offered in accordance with dharma.