Shloka 9
श्रूयतां ब्रह्मर्षयो मे सहदेवा: सहाग्नय: । साधूनां ब्रुवतो वृत्तं नाज्ञानान्न च मत्सरात् ॥ ९ ॥
śrūyatāṁ brahmarṣayo me saha-devāḥ sahāgnayaḥ sādhūnāṁ bruvato vṛttaṁ nājñānān na ca matsarāt
O brahmarṣis, gods, and fire-gods present here, hear me attentively. I speak of the conduct of the virtuous, not out of ignorance, nor out of envy.
In speaking against Lord Śiva, Dakṣa tried to pacify the assembly by presenting in a very tactful way that he was going to speak about the manners of gentle persons, although naturally this might affect some unmannerly upstarts and the assembly might be unhappy because they did not want even unmannerly persons to be offended. In other words, he was in complete knowledge that he was speaking against Lord Śiva in spite of Śiva’s spotless character. As far as envy is concerned, from the very beginning he was envious of Lord Śiva; therefore he could not distinguish his own particular envy. Although he spoke like a man in ignorance, he wanted to cover his statements by saying that he was not speaking for impudent and envious reasons.
FAQs
This verse highlights that true discussion of saintly conduct should be free from matsara (envy); envy contaminates judgment and turns dharma-talk into criticism rather than truth.
In the sacrificial assembly, Dakṣa addresses the brahmarṣis, devas, and sacred fires to give his view on proper conduct, presenting himself as speaking objectively—though the surrounding narrative shows rising tension and offense.
Before advising or correcting others, examine motive: speak to uphold dharma and uplift others, not to win, mock, or resent—then words become purifying rather than divisive.