Shloka 12
Agni’s Withdrawal to the Forest and Identification with Āṅgirasa (अग्न्याङ्गिरस-इतिहासः)
आहारेणाथ भक्ष्यैश्न भोज्यै: सुमधुरैस्तथा । उच्छिष्ट भाविता भर्तुर्भुड्धक्ते नित्यं युधिष्ठिर
āhāreṇātha bhakṣyaiś ca bhojyaiḥ sumadhurais tathā | ucchiṣṭa-bhāvitā bhartur bhṛtya-bhakte nityaṁ yudhiṣṭhira ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: «Así pues, oh Yudhiṣṭhira, ella se sustentaba constantemente con alimento—con dulces manjares y platos cocidos—pero todo ello no era sino lo que quedaba después de que su esposo hubiera comido. Así vivía cada día, entregada a su señor, aceptando sus sobras como su propia porción».
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethic of humble, disciplined devotion within household life: placing duty and service above personal preference, symbolized by accepting even sweet foods only after the husband has eaten.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a woman’s daily conduct to Yudhiṣṭhira: she consistently eats only her husband’s leftovers, portraying steadfast, servant-like loyalty and self-effacing dedication.