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
When the teeth had fallen out, Varuṇa returned and said, “Now perform the sacrifice.” But Hariścandra replied, “When the animal’s teeth grow in again, then it will be pure enough to be offered.”
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.