Shloka 3.11.58

पञ्चाप्सरो-सरः कथनम् तथा अगस्त्याश्रममार्गनिर्देशः (Panchapsara Lake Account and Directions to Agastya)

Devanagari script

भ्रातरं संस्कृतं कृत्वा ततस्तं मेषरूपिणम्।।3.11.57।।तान् द्विजान्भोजयामास श्राद्धदृष्टेन कर्मणा।

Transliteration

bhrātaraṃ saṃskṛtaṃ kṛtvā tatas taṃ meṣa-rūpiṇam ||

tān dvijān bhojayāmāsa śrāddha-dṛṣṭena karmaṇā |

Translation

Then, having prepared his brother who had taken the form of a ram, he fed those Brahmins in accordance with the rites of the Śrāddha ceremony.

Context

Ilvala would keep his brother sanctified, so that he is fit for offering, Then he would feed the brahmins with mutton according to the rituals.

Characters & Entities

• Ilvala (implied)
• Vātāpi (implied)
• dvija (brahmins)
• śrāddha

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma requires alignment of means and ends: even ‘correct’ ritual form cannot justify harmful intent.

What is the narrative situation?

A repeated/variantly numbered restatement of Ilvala’s deceptive feeding of brahmins during a supposed śrāddha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment and adherence to satya—judging actions by truth and intention, not mere external correctness.