Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, 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
Dikuasai kecenderungan Rākṣasa dan sangat lapar, Saudāsa menangkap brāhmaṇa itu. Lalu istri brāhmaṇa yang malang berkata: “Wahai pahlawan, engkau bukanlah pemakan manusia; engkau adalah kesatria agung keturunan Ikṣvāku, suami Madayantī. Janganlah berbuat adharma seperti ini. Aku mendambakan seorang putra; karena itu kembalikanlah suamiku, sang brāhmaṇa, yang belum sempat menghamiliku.”
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.