Shloka 18
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
न हि मे वर्तते बुद्धिर्गन्तु ब्रह्मन् बृहस्पतिम् । प्रत्याख्यातो हि तेनास्मि तथानपकृते सति,ब्रह्म! अब बृहस्पतिके पास जानेका मेरा विचार नहीं है; क्योंकि बिना अपराधके ही उन्होंने मेरी प्रार्थना अस्वीकृत कर दी है
na hi me vartate buddhir gantum brahman bṛhaspatim | pratyākhyāto hi tenāsmi tathānapakṛte sati, brahman ||
Marutta dit : «Ô Brahmane, je n’ai plus la résolution d’aller auprès de Bṛhaspati. Car il a rejeté ma requête alors même que je ne lui ai fait aucun tort. En pareil cas, il ne conviendrait pas que je le sollicite de nouveau comme si rien ne s’était passé.»
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical stance grounded in self-respect and fairness: when one has committed no offense yet is refused, repeatedly seeking the refuser may compromise one’s dignity and distort proper relational conduct (maryādā) between patron and priest/teacher.
Marutta addresses a Brahmin and declares that he will not go to Bṛhaspati, because Bṛhaspati has already rejected his request despite Marutta having done no wrong. This sets up a shift in counsel or priestly support away from Bṛhaspati.