Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 21
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ भुगुजी! इस समय हमारे लिये जो कर्तव्य प्राप्त हो, वह बताइये। आप जैसा कहेंगे वैसा ही मैं करूँगा; इसमें संशय नहीं है
vaktṝṇāṃ śreṣṭha bhṛgojī! asmin samaye asmābhyaḥ yo kartavyaḥ prāptaḥ, taṃ vada. yathā tvaṃ vakṣyasi tathā eva ahaṃ kariṣyāmi; atra saṃśayo nāsti.
Agastya said: “O Bhṛgu, foremost among speakers! Tell me what duty has now fallen to us at this moment. Whatever you say, that alone I shall do—of this there is no doubt.”
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic decision-making through humility and reliance on wise counsel: when duty becomes unclear or urgent, one should seek guidance from a recognized authority and commit to acting without wavering.
Agastya addresses the sage Bhṛgu with reverence, asking him to specify what duty is presently required. He pledges to follow Bhṛgu’s instruction exactly, emphasizing trust in the advisor and readiness to act.