Shloka 37
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
स उपाध्यायं प्रत्युवाच भो भैक्ष्यैण वृत्ति कल्पयामीति,उसने उपाध्यायसे कहा--'गुरुदेव! मैं भिक्षासे जीवन-निर्वाह करता हूँ”
sa upādhyāyaṃ pratyuvāca—bho bhaikṣyaiṇa vṛttiṃ kalpayāmīti.
Er erwiderte dem Lehrer: „Verehrter Herr, ich bestreite meinen Lebensunterhalt durch Almosen.“
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical livelihood (vṛtti) grounded in restraint and propriety: a student chooses to live by alms (bhaikṣa) rather than seek comfort or questionable means, reflecting dharma and the discipline expected in brahmacarya.
A character addresses his teacher respectfully and responds that he will sustain himself through alms-begging, indicating acceptance of an austere, regulated student life and deference to the teacher’s authority.