Shloka 22
अग्निर॒वाच न ते वाचं रोचयते मरुत्तो बृहस्पतेरज्चलिं प्राहिणोत् सः । संवर्तो मां याजयितेत्युवाच पुनः पुनः स मया याच्यमान:,अग्निने कहा--देवराज! राजा मरुत्तको आपकी बात पंसद नहीं आयी। बृहस्पतिजीको तो उन्होंने हाथ जोड़कर प्रणाम कहलाया है। मेरे बारंबार अनुरोध करनेपर भी उन्होंने यही उत्तर दिया है कि 'संवर्तजी ही मेरा यज्ञ करायेंगे”
agnir uvāca na te vācaṃ rocayate marutto bṛhaspater añjaliṃ prāhiṇot saḥ | saṃvarto māṃ yājayiteti uvāca punaḥ punaḥ sa mayā yācyamānaḥ ||
Agni said: “O Lord of the gods, King Marutta does not approve of your proposal. To Bṛhaspati he has sent a reverential salutation with joined palms. Even when I repeatedly urged him, he kept giving the same reply: ‘Saṃvarta alone shall officiate my sacrifice.’”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfastness and discernment in dharmic action: even under pressure from powerful authorities, one may adhere to a chosen course—here, the selection of a ritual officiant—so long as it aligns with one’s conviction of what is proper.
Agni reports to the lord of the gods that King Marutta has declined the proposal being conveyed, has respectfully saluted Bṛhaspati, and insists—despite repeated requests—that Saṃvarta alone will conduct his sacrifice.