Shloka 12
Draupadī’s Instruction on Marital Conduct and Household Discipline (चित्तग्रहण-उपदेश)
अनुनीयमानो हि भृशं देववाक्याद्धि तेन सः । नैच्छद् वोढुं हवि: सोढुं शरीरं चापि सो5त्यजत्,तदनन्तर अग्निने अथर्वासे फिर वही बात कही। उस समय देवताओंके कहनेसे अथर्वा मुनिने सह नामक अग्निदेवसे अत्यन्त अनुनय-विनय की; परन्तु उन्होंने न तो हविष्य ढोनेका भार लेनेकी इच्छा की और न वे अपने उस जीर्ण शरीरका ही भार सह सके। अन्ततोगत्वा उन्होंने शरीर त्याग दिया
anunīyamāno hi bhṛśaṃ devavākyād dhi tena saḥ | naicchad voḍhuṃ haviḥ soḍhuṃ śarīraṃ cāpi so 'tyajat |
Though earnestly entreated again and again—at the urging of the gods—he still would not consent. He neither wished to take up the burden of carrying the oblation, nor was he able to endure the burden of his own worn-out body. In the end, he abandoned his body.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when urged by divine authority, one should not undertake a duty beyond one’s capacity; embodied life has limits, and rightful action (dharma) must align with fitness and strength.
At the gods’ prompting, someone is repeatedly entreated to bear the task of carrying the sacrificial oblation, but he refuses and, unable to sustain even his own frail body, ultimately gives up his life.