Shloka 38
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
तृषितेन च कौन्तेय भिक्षितश्रित्रभानुना । सहस्रबाहुर्विक्रान्त: प्रादाद् भिक्षामथाग्नये
tṛṣitena ca kaunteya bhikṣitena śikhitrabhānunā | sahasrabāhur vikrāntaḥ prādād bhikṣām athāgnaye ||
Vāsudeva said: “O son of Kuntī, when Agni—radiant like a crested flame—was once tormented by hunger and thirst, the mighty, valiant Sahasrabāhu Arjuna granted him the requested alms.” The episode highlights the ethic of giving to a worthy supplicant and honoring a divine request without hesitation.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dāna-dharma: when a worthy petitioner—especially a divine being—asks, a righteous and capable person should give promptly and respectfully, treating the request as an opportunity to uphold duty and generosity.
Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) recalls an earlier episode: Agni, suffering hunger and thirst, approached Sahasrabāhu Arjuna for “bhikṣā” (a requested gift). Sahasrabāhu Arjuna, famed for valor, granted Agni what he asked for.