Shloka 27
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
क्षुधार्तो जगृहे विप्रं तत्पत्न्याहाकृतार्थवत् । न भवान् राक्षस: साक्षादिक्ष्वाकूणां महारथ: ॥ २६ ॥ मदयन्त्या: पतिर्वीर नाधर्मं कर्तुमर्हसि । देहि मेऽपत्यकामाया अकृतार्थं पतिं द्विजम् ॥ २७ ॥
kṣudhārto jagṛhe vipraṁ tat-patny āhākṛtārthavat na bhavān rākṣasaḥ sākṣād ikṣvākūṇāṁ mahā-rathaḥ
Sous l’emprise d’une disposition de Rākṣasa et tenaillé par la faim, Saudāsa saisit le brāhmaṇa. Alors l’épouse démunie du brāhmaṇa dit : « Ô héros, tu n’es pas réellement un mangeur d’hommes ; tu es un grand guerrier de la lignée d’Ikṣvāku, l’époux de Madayantī. Tu ne dois pas commettre un tel adharma. Je désire un fils ; rends-moi donc mon mari, le brāhmaṇa, qui ne m’a pas encore rendue enceinte. »
FAQs
This verse highlights that harming a brāhmaṇa is against dharma; the brāhmaṇa’s wife reminds the king of his noble Ikṣvāku duty, implying a righteous ruler protects brāhmaṇas rather than exploiting them.
She contrasts demoniac, violent behavior with the expected conduct of an Ikṣvāku kṣatriya, urging him to act according to his noble lineage and restrain himself.
Even under pressure (like hunger or stress), one should not harm the innocent; remember one’s values and responsibilities before acting.