Shloka 2
Sūrya-stava: Dhaumya’s Counsel and the Aṣṭaśata-nāma of Sūrya
प्रस्थितं मानुयान्तीमे ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगा: । न चास्मि पोषणे शक्तो बहुदुःखसमन्वितः,“विप्रवर! ये वेदोंके पारंगत विद्वान ब्राह्मण मेरे साथ वनमें चल रहे हैं। परंतु मैं इनका पालन-पोषण करनेमें असमर्थ हूँ, यह सोचकर मुझे बड़ा दुःख हो रहा है
vaiśampāyana uvāca | prasthitaṃ mānuyāntīme brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ | na cāsmi poṣaṇe śakto bahuduḥkhasamanvitaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: “These Brahmins, fully versed in the Vedas, are following me as I set out. Yet I am not able to provide for their sustenance; burdened by this, I am overwhelmed with great sorrow.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of poṣaṇa (supporting dependents and guests): even in hardship, a righteous person feels accountable for the welfare of those who have placed trust in him—especially learned Brahmins who accompany him.
As the journey into the forest begins, Veda-versed Brahmins accompany the departing party. The speaker expresses distress that he lacks the means to maintain and feed them, revealing both material difficulty and moral concern.