Shloka 28
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
हुताशनस्तु बुबुधे मण्डूकस्य च पैशुनम् शशाप स तमासाद्य न रसान् वेत्स्यसीति वै
hutāśanas tu bubudhe maṇḍūkasya ca paiśunam | śaśāpa sa tam āsādya na rasān vetsyasīti vai ||
Bhīṣma said: Agni, the Fire-god, came to understand the frog’s act of malicious tale-bearing. Approaching him, he pronounced a curse: “Indeed, you shall not know the taste of flavors.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Malicious speech—especially tale-bearing meant to harm—violates dharma and brings consequences. The verse frames paiśunya (spiteful informing) as ethically blameworthy, leading to loss of enjoyment (symbolized by the inability to taste).
Agni realizes that the frog has acted as a malicious informer. He goes to the frog and curses him, declaring that the frog will not experience tastes (rasas).