Shloka 21
मां वा वृणीष्व भद्रें ते मरुत्त वा महीपतिम् । परित्यज्य मरुत्तं वा यथाजोषं भजस्व माम्,“आपका कल्याण हो। आप मुझे अपना यजमान बनाइये अथवा पृथ्वीपति मरुत्तको। या तो मुझे छोड़िये या मरुत्तको छोड़कर चुपचाप मेरा आश्रय लीजिये”
māṁ vā vṛṇīṣva bhadre te maruttaṁ vā mahīpatim | parityajya maruttaṁ vā yathājoṣaṁ bhajasva mām ||
“May it be well with you. Choose me as your yajamāna, or choose Marutta, the lord of the earth. Either renounce Marutta and take refuge in me as you please, or else leave me and stand with Marutta.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should avoid divided allegiance in matters of dharma: when duty involves patronage, authority, or refuge, clarity of commitment is ethically required—choose one rightful course rather than trying to hold incompatible loyalties.
Vyāsa confronts the listener with a direct either–or decision: accept him as the sacrificial patron/guide or accept King Marutta. The speech functions as a decisive ultimatum to resolve a conflict of association and ritual responsibility.