Shloka 83
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
मा वा भूत् सहभोज्यं नौ मदीयं फलमाप्रुहि । प्रतीच्छ मत्कृतं धर्म यदि ते मय्यनुग्रह:
mā vā bhūt sahabhojyaṃ nau madīyaṃ phalam āpruhi | pratīccha matkṛtaṃ dharma yadi te mayy anugrahaḥ ||
“Let there be no need for us to remain together and partake of the fruits of action as co-enjoyers. If you have any favor toward me, then accept in full the fruit that is mine. Receive the merit of the dharma I have performed—take it all.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical idea that the fruit of one’s dharma (merit) can be offered to another out of reverence or supplication, emphasizing humility and the primacy of righteous action over personal claim to its rewards.
A Brahmin speaker addresses another party, declining the need for shared enjoyment of karmic results and instead requesting that the other accept the full fruit of the Brahmin’s good deeds—an appeal framed as an act of grace (anugraha).