Shloka 3
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं-जनमेजय! उन ब्राह्मण-देवताने अर्जुन और सात्वतवंशी भगवान् वासुदेवसे, जो विश्वविख्यात वीर थे और खाण्डववनके समीप खड़े हुए थे, कहा --,एवमुक्तौ तमब्रूतां ततस्तौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ । केनान्नेन भवांस्तृप्येत् तस्यान्नस्य यतावहे उनके ऐसा कहनेपर श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन बोले--'ब्रह्मन! बताइये, आप किस अन्नसे तृप्त होंगे? हम दोनों उसीके लिये प्रयत्न करेंगे”
vaiśampāyana uvāca—janamejaya! tau brāhmaṇa-devatā arjunaṃ ca sātvata-vaṃśī bhagavantaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca, viśva-vikhyātau vīrau khāṇḍava-vanasya samīpe sthitau, idam abravīt—evam uktau tam abrūtāṃ tataḥ tau kṛṣṇa-pāṇḍavau: kena annena bhavāṃs tṛpyet? tasyānnasya yathāvahe.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, that Brahmin of divine power addressed Arjuna and Vāsudeva Kṛṣṇa—world-renowned heroes standing near the Khāṇḍava forest. When he had spoken thus, Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍava replied: ‘O Brahmin, by what food would you be satisfied? We shall strive to procure that very food for you.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as respectful hospitality and readiness to serve: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna respond to a Brahmin’s words by asking what would satisfy him and committing themselves to procure it, modeling ethical attentiveness to a guest or supplicant.
Near the Khāṇḍava forest, a divine Brahmin addresses the famed pair—Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. In response, they ask what food he desires and promise to obtain it, setting up the ensuing events connected with the Khāṇḍava episode.