Shloka 48
Agni’s Withdrawal to the Forest and Identification with Āṅgirasa (अग्न्याङ्गिरस-इतिहासः)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच तया विसृष्टो निर्गम्य स्वमेव भवनं ययौ । विनिन्दन् स स्वमात्मानं कौशिको द्विजसत्तम:,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठि!! उस साध्वी स्त्रीसे विदा लेकर वह द्विजश्रेष्ठ कौशिक अपने आत्माकी निन्दा करता हुआ अपने घरको लौट गया
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | tayā visṛṣṭo nirgamyā svam eva bhavanaṃ yayau | vinindan sa svam ātmānaṃ kauśiko dvijasattamaḥ ||
Markandeya said: Having been respectfully dismissed by that virtuous woman, the brahmin Kaushika departed and returned to his own home. All the while, the best of the twice-born reproached himself.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Outer religious status or austerity is not enough; dharma requires inner integrity and humility. Kaushika’s self-blame signals awakening to the gap between prideful conduct and genuine righteousness, prompted by the example of a truly virtuous person.
After receiving leave from the virtuous woman, Kaushika departs and goes back home. As he travels, he criticizes himself, indicating remorse and moral reconsideration after being corrected or instructed in dharma.