Shloka 16
Marutta’s Sacrifice and Agni’s Embassy (मरुत्त-यज्ञे दूतत्वम्)
मरुत्त उवाच संवर्तो्यं याजयिता द्विजो मां बृहस्पतेरञण्जलिरेष तस्य । न चैवासौ याजयित्वा महेन्द्रं मर्त्य सन््तं याजयन्नद्य शोभेत्,मरुत्तने कहा--भगवन्! मेरा यज्ञ ये विप्रवर संवर्तजी करायेंगे। बृहस्पतिजीके लिये तो मेरी यह अज्चलि जुड़ी हुई है। महेन्द्रका यज्ञ कराकर अब मेरे-जैसे मरणधर्मा मनुष्यका यज्ञ करानेमें उनकी शोभा नहीं है
Marutta uvāca—Saṃvarto ’yaṃ yājayitā dvijo māṃ Bṛhaspater añjalir eṣa tasya | Na caivāsau yājayitvā Mahendraṃ martya-santaṃ yājayann adya śobhet ||
Marutta said: “This brahmin Saṃvarta will officiate my sacrifice. My reverent offering (añjali) is reserved for Bṛhaspati. And after having conducted a sacrifice for Mahendra himself, it would not be fitting today for him to gain distinction by conducting a sacrifice for a mortal like me.”
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights propriety (aucitya) and humility in ritual life: one should honor spiritual hierarchy appropriately (reverence to Bṛhaspati) and recognize that a priest’s dignity is shaped by the worthiness and scale of the patron—having served Indra, it seems unfitting for him to seek glory by serving an ordinary mortal.
King Marutta declares that Saṃvarta will conduct his sacrifice. He simultaneously expresses deference to Bṛhaspati and remarks that Saṃvarta, who has already officiated for Indra (Mahendra), would not appear to gain further prestige by officiating for a mortal king like Marutta.