Shloka 18
भाईके शोकसे उनका हृदय संतप्त हो उठा। साथ ही प्याससे भी वे बहुत कष्ट पा रहे थे; अतः पानीकी ओर दौड़े। उसी समय आकाशवाणी बोल उठी-- ।। मा तात साहसं कार्षीमम पूर्वपरिग्रह: । प्रश्नानुक्त्वा यथाकामं पिबस्व च हरस्व च,“तात! पानी पीनेका साहस न करो। यहाँ पहलेसे ही मेरा अधिकार हो चुका है। तुम पहले मेरे प्रश्नोंका उत्तर दे दो, फिर इच्छानुसार जल पीओ और साथ ले भी जाओ”
mā tāta sāhasaṁ kārṣīr mamā pūrva-parigrahaḥ | praśnān uktvā yathākāmaṁ pibasva ca harasva ca ||
The Yakṣa spoke: “Dear one, do not act rashly. This water has already been claimed by me. First answer my questions; then, as you wish, drink the water—and you may even take it away.”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
Restrain impulse and respect rightful claim and procedure: one should not seize even a basic necessity like water through haste, but first follow dharmic conditions—here, answering the Yakṣa’s questions—before enjoying a benefit.
As the thirsty person rushes toward the water, a disembodied voice—the Yakṣa—stops him, declaring prior ownership of the water and setting a condition: answer the Yakṣa’s questions first, then drink and even take water away.