Shloka 54
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
कार्यवन्तो गृहानेत्य शत्रुतो नारहणां वयम् । प्रतिगृहल्लीम तद् विद्धि एतन्न: शाश्व॒तं व्रतम्,हम अपने कार्यसे तुम्हारे घर आये हैं; अतः शत्रुसे पूजा नहीं ग्रहण कर सकते। इस बातको तुम अच्छी तरह समझ लो। यह हमारा सनातन व्रत है
kāryavanto gṛhān etya śatruto nārhaṇāṃ vayam | pratigṛhṇīma tad viddhi etan naḥ śāśvataṃ vratam ||
Kṛṣṇa said: “We have come to your house on a mission; therefore, we cannot accept honors or hospitality from an enemy. Know this well: it is our enduring vow.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not accept honors or gifts from a hostile party when engaged in a serious duty; ethical consistency and the integrity of one’s mission are protected by adhering to a principled vow.
Kṛṣṇa, arriving with a specific purpose, declines the reception offered by someone regarded as an enemy, stating that accepting such hospitality would violate his long-established rule of conduct.