Shloka 10
Karma, Preta-gati, and the Continuity of Phala
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Instruction
किमाह्त्य विदित्वा वा प्रीतिस्ते स्याद् भुजड़म् । किमाहारं प्रयच्छामि कथं मुज्चेद् भवानिमम्,बोलो, तुम्हारे लिये क्या ला दिया जाय? अथवा तुम्हें किस बातका ज्ञान करा दिया जाय? जिससे तुम प्रसन्न होओगे। मैं कौन-सा आहार दे दूँ अथवा किस उपायका अवलम्बन करूँ, जिससे तुम इन्हें छोड़ सकते हो?
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: kim āhṛtya viditvā vā prītis te syād bhujaṅgama | kim āhāraṃ prayacchāmi kathaṃ muñced bhavān imam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O serpent, what shall I bring you, or what knowledge shall I impart, so that you may be pleased? What food should I offer, or by what means may you release this one?”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic impulse to resolve conflict through respectful dialogue, offering lawful means—gift, service, or knowledge—in order to secure another’s release without violence.
A serpent has seized someone close by (referred to as ‘this one’). Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the serpent directly, asking what offering or instruction would satisfy it so that it will let the captive go.