Shloka 23
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
ततो<सस््य वितते यज्ञे नष्टो5 भूद्धव्यवाहन: । ततः सुदुःखितो राजा वाक्यमाह द्विजांस्तदा
tato 'sya vitate yajñe naṣṭo 'bhūd dhavyavāhanaḥ | tataḥ suduḥkhito rājā vākyam āha dvijān tadā ||
Luego, mientras su sacrificio era debidamente dispuesto y celebrado, Havyavāhana (Agni, el portador de las oblaciones) desapareció de él. Entonces el rey, abrumado por el dolor, se dirigió en ese momento a los brahmanes—
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A sacrifice depends not only on correct external procedure but also on inner rectitude and divine acceptance; when Agni withdraws, the proper response is self-examination and seeking guidance from qualified Brahmins rather than pride or coercion.
During the king’s ongoing yajña, Agni (Havyavāhana), the essential carrier of offerings, disappears—indicating disruption or displeasure—so the king becomes deeply distressed and turns to the assembled Brahmins to ask what should be done.