Shloka 22
द्रौपदी–सत्यभामा संवादः
Draupadī and Satyabhāmā on ethical household conduct
अग्र॑ यच्छन्ति भूतानां येन भूतानि नित्यदा । कर्मस्विह विचित्रेषु सो5ग्रणीर्वद्विरुच्यते
agraṁ yacchanti bhūtānāṁ yena bhūtāni nityadā | karmasv iha vicitreṣu so 'graṇīr vad virucyate ||
Mārkaṇḍeya dit : «Celui par qui, dans les devoirs variés accomplis ici-bas, la première part de la nourriture est sans cesse offerte pour le bien de tous les êtres—afin que les êtres soient soutenus—est célébré sous le nom d’“Agraṇī” (le Guide).» Dans ce contexte, Agraṇī est identifié comme la divinité du feu associée à l’offrande de la première part, et la tradition généalogique le retient aussi comme un fils de Manu.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises the dharmic principle of offering the first share (agra) before personal consumption—an ethic of prioritizing the welfare of all beings through ritualized generosity and acknowledgment of sustaining powers (Agni/offerings).
Mārkaṇḍeya is explaining the significance of the name/epithet ‘Agraṇī’: the one who leads by ensuring that, amid diverse worldly and ritual actions, the foremost portion is offered for the benefit and sustenance of beings—hence the association with Agni and traditional genealogical identification.