Shloka 9
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
तानाह सर्वन्ृषिमुख्यानगस्त्य: केनादत्तं पुष्करं मे सुजातम् । युष्मान् शंके पुष्करं दीयतां मे न वै भवन्तो हर्तुमर्हन्ति पद्मम्,तब अगस्त्यजीने उन समस्त ऋषियोंसे पूछा--'किसने मेरे सुन्दर कमल ले लिये। मैं आप सब लोगोंपर संदेह करता हूँ। मेरे कमल लौटा दीजिये। आप-जैसे साधु पुरुषोंको कमलोंकी चोरी करना कदापि उचित नहीं है
tān āha sarvān ṛṣimukhyān agastyaḥ: kenādattam puṣkaraṃ me sujātam | yuṣmān śaṅke puṣkaraṃ dīyatāṃ me na vai bhavanto hartum arhanti padmam ||
Bhishma said: Agastya addressed all the foremost sages: “Who has taken my well-born, beautiful lotus? I suspect you all. Return my lotus to me. Men of your sanctity are not fit to take away a lotus by theft.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a seemingly minor act like taking a lotus without consent is ethically blameworthy; those regarded as righteous must be especially vigilant about non-stealing and integrity, since their conduct sets a standard.
Agastya confronts a gathering of eminent sages, asking who has taken his beautiful lotus and urging its return, stating that such an act is unworthy of saintly persons.