Shloka 43
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
इति ब्रुवन्ती तां साध्वीं भार्या स द्विजसत्तम: । क्षुधापरिगतां ज्ञात्वा तान् सक्तून् नाभ्यनन्दत,अपनी पतिव्रता पत्नीकी यह बात सुनकर जन द्विजश्रेष्ठने उसे भूखी जानकर उसके दिये हुए सत्तूको लेनेकी इच्छा नहीं की
iti bruvantī tāṃ sādhvīṃ bhāryā sa dvijasattamaḥ | kṣudhāparigatāṃ jñātvā tān saktūn nābhyānandat ||
As his virtuous wife spoke thus, that foremost of Brahmins, realizing that she was overcome by hunger, did not consent to accept the saktu she offered.
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma includes sensitivity to another’s suffering: when a gift is clearly born of the giver’s deprivation, ethical restraint and compassion may require refusing it, honoring the sacrifice rather than exploiting it.
A virtuous wife speaks and offers saktū (parched meal). The Brahmin, perceiving that she herself is afflicted by hunger, does not welcome or accept the offered food, indicating moral hesitation to benefit from her hardship.