Shloka 18
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
न हि मे वर्तते बुद्धिर्गन्तु ब्रह्मन् बृहस्पतिम् । प्रत्याख्यातो हि तेनास्मि तथानपकृते सति
na hi me vartate buddhir gantum brahman bṛhaspatim | pratyākhyāto hi tenāsmi tathānapakṛte sati, brahman ||
Marutta said: “O Brahmin, I no longer have the resolve to go to Bṛhaspati. For he has rejected my request, even though I have done him no wrong. In such a case, it would be improper for me to seek him again as though nothing had happened.”
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical stance grounded in self-respect and fairness: when one has committed no offense yet is refused, repeatedly seeking the refuser may compromise one’s dignity and distort proper relational conduct (maryādā) between patron and priest/teacher.
Marutta addresses a Brahmin and declares that he will not go to Bṛhaspati, because Bṛhaspati has already rejected his request despite Marutta having done no wrong. This sets up a shift in counsel or priestly support away from Bṛhaspati.