Shloka 75
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजाने कहा--ब्रह्मन! क्षत्रियका धर्म तो प्रजाकी रक्षा और युद्ध करना है। क्षत्रियोंको दाता कहा गया है; फिर मैं उलटे ही आपसे दान कैसे ले सकता हूँ? ।।
brāhmaṇa uvāca | na cchandayāmi te rājann āpi te gṛham āvrajam | ihāgamya tu yācitvā na gṛhṇīṣe punaḥ katham ||
The Brahmin said: “O King, I did not urge you to give, nor did I come to your house seeking alms. Rather, you yourself have come here and begged—how then can you now refuse to accept (what is being offered)?”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical consistency in giving and receiving: one should not refuse a rightful exchange after initiating a request. It also underscores dharma in social roles—kings are associated with giving and protection, yet humility and reciprocity can require accepting when one has asked.
A king hesitates to accept or participate in a transaction involving giving/receiving, citing kshatriya norms of being a giver. The Brahmin replies that he did not come soliciting; instead, the king came and requested—so the king should not now decline to accept, as that would contradict his own act of asking.