Shloka 80
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
तस्मात् सक्तून् ग्रहीष्यामि वधु नाहसि वज्चनाम् | गणयित्वा महाभागे त्वां हि धर्मभूतां वरे,श्वशुरने कहा--बेटी! तुम सती-साथ्वी नारी हो और सदा ऐसे ही शील एवं सदाचारका पालन करनेसे तुम्हारी शोभा है। तुम धर्म तथा व्रतके आचरणमें संलग्न होकर सर्वदा गुरुजनोंकी सेवापर ही दृष्टि रखती हो; इसलिये बहू! मैं तुम्हें पुण्यसे वंचित न होने दूँगा। धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ महाभागे! पुण्यात्माओंमें तुम्हारी गिनती करके मैं तुम्हारा दिया हुआ सत्तू अवश्य स्वीकार करूँगा
śvaśura uvāca | tasmāt saktūn grahīṣyāmi vadhu nārhasi vañcanām | gaṇayitvā mahābhāge tvāṁ hi dharmabhūtāṁ vare ||
The father-in-law said: “Therefore, daughter-in-law, I will accept these roasted barley-flour provisions. You do not deserve to be deprived or cheated. O fortunate one, counting you among the truly righteous and excellent women, I will indeed receive what you have offered—so that your merit is not lost.”
श्षशुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A righteous person should not nullify another’s merit through refusal or unfairness. When a virtuous offering is made with sincerity, accepting it appropriately can protect the giver’s puṇya and honor their dharmic intent.
The father-in-law addresses his daughter-in-law and decides to accept her simple food offering (saktu). He praises her as dharma-minded and assures her she will not be deprived of the spiritual fruit of her act.