Shloka 17
अगस्त्यस्य वित्तयाचनं तथा इल्वलोपभिक्षणनिर्णयः
Agastya’s request for wealth and the decision to seek resources from Ilvala
यदि नो जनयेथास्त्वमगस्त्यापत्यमुत्तमम् | स्यान्नोअस्मान्निरयान्मोक्षस्त्वं च पुत्राप्तुया गतिम्,“अगस्त्य! यदि तुम हमारे लिये उत्तम संतान उत्पन्न कर सको तो हम इस नरकसे छुटकारा पा सकते हैं और बेटा! तुम्हें भी सदगति प्राप्त होगी”
yadi no janayethās tvam agastyāpatyam uttamam | syān no 'smān nirayān mokṣas tvaṁ ca putrāptuyā gatim ||
Dijeron: “Oh Agastya, si puedes engendrar para nosotros una descendencia excelente, seremos liberados de este infierno; y tú también, oh hijo, alcanzarás un destino bienaventurado por la obtención de un hijo.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic importance of progeny in the ancestral framework: begetting a worthy child is portrayed as a means to rescue forebears from suffering and to secure one’s own auspicious destiny, reflecting the idea of fulfilling obligations to the ancestors (pitṛ-ṛṇa).
A group (implicitly ancestors/forebears) addresses Agastya, urging him to beget an excellent offspring. They claim that such progeny will free them from hell and will also grant Agastya a blessed end through the attainment of a son.