Shloka 38
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
तृषितेन च कौन्तेय भिक्षितश्रित्रभानुना । सहस्रबाहुर्विक्रान्त: प्रादाद् भिक्षामथाग्नये
tṛṣitena ca kaunteya bhikṣitena śikhitrabhānunā | sahasrabāhur vikrāntaḥ prādād bhikṣām athāgnaye ||
Vāsudeva sprach: „O Sohn der Kuntī, als Agni—strahlend wie eine gekrönte Flamme—einst von Hunger und Durst gequält wurde, gewährte ihm der mächtige, tapfere Sahasrabāhu Arjuna die erbetene Gabe.“ Diese Begebenheit hebt die Ethik hervor, einem würdigen Bittenden zu geben und eine göttliche Bitte ohne Zögern zu ehren.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dāna-dharma: when a worthy petitioner—especially a divine being—asks, a righteous and capable person should give promptly and respectfully, treating the request as an opportunity to uphold duty and generosity.
Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) recalls an earlier episode: Agni, suffering hunger and thirst, approached Sahasrabāhu Arjuna for “bhikṣā” (a requested gift). Sahasrabāhu Arjuna, famed for valor, granted Agni what he asked for.