Shloka 67
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
भरद्वाज बोले--इस विवेकशून्य ब्राह्मणबन्धुको हमलोगोंकी तरह अपनी स्त्रीके कलंकित होनेका शोक नहीं है। इसीलिये यह कुत्तेके साथ मोटा हो गया है ।। गौतम उवाच नैतस्येह यथास्माकं त्रिकौशेयं च रांकवम् । एकैकं वै त्रिवर्षीयं तेन पीवाउछुना सह,गौतम बोले--हमलोगोंकी तरह इसे तीन-तीन वर्षोतक कुशकी रस्सीकी बनी हुई तीन लरवाली मेखला और मृगचर्म धारण करके नहीं रहना पड़ता है। इसीलिये यह कुत्तेके साथ मोटा हो गया है
gautama uvāca | naitasyeha yathāsmākaṃ trikauśeyaṃ ca rāṅkavam | ekaikaṃ vai trivarṣīyaṃ tena pīvāucchunā saha ||
Gautama said: “This man does not have to live here as we do—wearing the three-stranded girdle of kuśa-grass cord and the deer-skin, each kept for three years. Therefore, living together with that dog, he has grown fat and comfortable.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts disciplined ascetic observance (wearing prescribed ascetic items over fixed periods) with laxity and indulgence. It implies that neglect of dharmic restraints leads to comfort-seeking behavior and moral decline.
Gautama comments critically on a man who does not follow the same austere regimen as the speakers. Because he is not bound by the hardships of ascetic discipline, he lives comfortably—symbolized by ‘growing fat’ while keeping company with a dog.