Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 13
Purukutsa’s Rasātala Victory; Triśaṅku and Hariścandra; Rohita and Śunaḥśepha
पशोर्निपतिता दन्ता यजस्वेत्याह सोऽब्रवीत् । यदा पशो: पुनर्दन्ता जायन्तेऽथ पशु: शुचि: ॥ १३ ॥
paśor nipatitā dantā yajasvety āha so ’bravīt yadā paśoḥ punar dantā jāyante ’tha paśuḥ śuciḥ
Als die Zähne ausgefallen waren, kehrte Varuṇa zurück und sagte: „Opfere nun.“ Doch Hariścandra erwiderte: „Wenn dem Tier die Zähne wieder nachwachsen, dann wird es rein und opferwürdig sein.“
FAQs
This verse highlights that a sacrifice must follow strict standards of purity and fitness; the act cannot be forced when the prescribed conditions are not met.
In the narrative, the instruction reflects a push to proceed with the ritual, while the reply insists that the animal is not fit until it regains proper signs of completeness and purity.
Do not rush sacred duties or important commitments; act only when the proper qualifications, readiness, and ethical standards are truly present.