Shloka 21
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
विधात्रा विहितं पूर्व कर्म स्वमनुपालयन् । प्रयत्नाच्च गुरू वृद्धौ शुश्रूषे5हं द्विजोत्तम,द्विजश्रेष्ठ) विधाताने इस कुलमें जन्म देकर मेरे लिये जो कार्य प्रस्तुत किया है, उसका पालन करता हुआ मैं अपने बूढ़े माता-पिताकी बड़े यत्नसे सेवा करता रहता हूँ
vidhātrā vihitaṃ pūrva-karma svam anupālayan | prayatnāc ca gurū vṛddhau śuśrūṣe'haṃ dvijottama ||
“The work assigned to me by the Creator—my own duty shaped by prior deeds—I continue to uphold. And with earnest effort, O best of twice-born, I serve my aged elders (my parents).”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold one’s own ordained duty (svadharma), recognizing the role of past karma and divine ordering, and practice dharma concretely through diligent service to one’s aged parents/elders.
The Vyādha explains to a brāhmaṇa that he lives by the duty allotted to him and, rather than seeking status, he focuses on devoted service to his elderly parents—presenting this as a central expression of righteousness.