Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 9
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
तानाह सर्वन्ृषिमुख्यानगस्त्य: केनादत्तं पुष्करं मे सुजातम् । युष्मान् शंके पुष्करं दीयतां मे न वै भवन्तो हर्तुमर्हन्ति पद्मम्
tān āha sarvān ṛṣimukhyān agastyaḥ: kenādattam puṣkaraṃ me sujātam | yuṣmān śaṅke puṣkaraṃ dīyatāṃ me na vai bhavanto hartum arhanti padmam ||
भीष्म ने कहा—तब अगस्त्य ने उन समस्त श्रेष्ठ ऋषियों से कहा—‘मेरे सुजात, सुन्दर कमल किसने ले लिए? मैं तुम सब पर संदेह करता हूँ। मेरे कमल मुझे लौटा दो; तुम जैसे साधु पुरुषों को कमल की चोरी शोभा नहीं देती।’
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a seemingly minor act like taking a lotus without consent is ethically blameworthy; those regarded as righteous must be especially vigilant about non-stealing and integrity, since their conduct sets a standard.
Agastya confronts a gathering of eminent sages, asking who has taken his beautiful lotus and urging its return, stating that such an act is unworthy of saintly persons.