Shloka 22
Tapovana-praveśaḥ — The King’s Entry into the Sacred Grove and Vision of the Āśrama
फेनपांश्व तथा वत्सान् न दुहन्ति सम मानवा: | न कूटमानैर्वणिज: पाण्यं विक्रीणते तदा,जबतक बछड़े केवल दूधपर रहते, घास नहीं चरते, तबतक मनुष्य गौओंका दूध नहीं दुहते थे। व्यापारीलोग बेचने योग्य वस्तुओंका झूठे माप-तौलद्दवारा विक्रय नहीं करते थे
phaṇapaṁśv tathā vatsān na duhanti sama mānavāḥ | na kūṭamānair vaṇijaḥ pāṇyaṁ vikrīṇate tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In those days, people did not milk the cows while the calves were still dependent solely on milk. Nor did merchants sell their wares by using false weights and measures. Thus the narrative recalls an earlier age marked by restraint, fairness, and regard for the rightful share of others.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint and honesty: do not deprive dependents of their due (calves’ share of milk) and do not cheat in commerce (no false weights).
Vaiśampāyana is describing the moral character of an earlier time, portraying a society where people acted fairly toward animals and maintained integrity in trade.