Shloka 32
Adhyāya 208: Aṅgirasī-kanyāḥ
Enumeration of Aṅgiras’ daughters and attribute-names
परेण हि हतान् ब्रह्मन् वराहमहिषानहम् । न स्वयं हन्मि विप्र्षे विक्रीणामि सदा त्वहम्,ब्रह्मन! मैं स्वयं किसी जीवकी हिंसा नहीं करता। सदा दूसरोंके मारे हुए सूअर और भैसोंका मांस बेचता हूँ
pareṇa hi hatān brahman varāha-mahiṣān aham | na svayaṁ hanmi viprarṣe vikrīṇāmi sadā tv aham ||
The hunter said: “O Brahmin, these boars and buffaloes have been killed by others. I do not myself kill living beings, O venerable sage; I only ever sell the meat of animals slain by someone else.”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse raises the ethical question of complicity: even if one does not directly kill, one may still be connected to harm through trade and livelihood. It frames a discussion on dharma, intention, and responsibility for actions supported or enabled.
The hunter (vyādha) responds to a Brahmin-sage’s moral scrutiny by defending his conduct: he claims he does not personally kill animals, but sells meat from boars and buffaloes killed by others—setting up a deeper examination of righteous conduct.