Shloka 26
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
क्षुधार्तो जगृहे विप्रं तत्पत्न्याहाकृतार्थवत् । न भवान् राक्षस: साक्षादिक्ष्वाकूणां महारथ: ॥ २६ ॥ मदयन्त्या: पतिर्वीर नाधर्मं कर्तुमर्हसि । देहि मेऽपत्यकामाया अकृतार्थं पतिं द्विजम् ॥ २७ ॥
kṣudhārto jagṛhe vipraṁ tat-patny āhākṛtārthavat na bhavān rākṣasaḥ sākṣād ikṣvākūṇāṁ mahā-rathaḥ
Vom Wesen eines Rākṣasa beeinflusst und von großem Hunger gequält, packte Saudāsa den Brahmanen. Da sprach die arme Frau des Brahmanen: „O Held, du bist in Wahrheit kein Menschenfresser; du bist ein großer Kämpfer aus dem Geschlecht Ikṣvāku, der Gemahl Madayantīs. Es ziemt dir nicht, solches Adharma zu tun. Ich wünsche mir einen Sohn; gib mir daher meinen Brahmanen-Gatten zurück, der mich noch nicht geschwängert hat.“
FAQs
This verse shows that distress like hunger does not justify adharmic acts; the wife appeals to the assailant’s noble lineage to awaken restraint and righteous conduct.
She uses moral persuasion—reminding him that such cruelty is unworthy of a noble kṣatriya—so he will release the brāhmaṇa and act according to dharma.
When pressured by need or emotion, remember your values and identity; choose integrity over impulse, and avoid harming others for short-term relief.