Shloka 9
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
धर्मपालनकी इच्छासे ही उसको स्त्री आदि कुटुम्बका संग्रह करना चाहिये (विषयभोगके लिये नहीं)। ब्राह्मणको उचित है कि वह सदा जाग्रत् रहे
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kathaṃ sadopavāsī syād brahmacārī ca pārthiva | vighasāśī kathaṃ ca syāt kathaṃ caivātithipriyaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai raja, bagaimana seorang brāhmaṇa dapat selalu berpuasa dan juga hidup selibat? Dan bagaimana ia dapat menjadi vighasāśin—memakan hanya sisa setelah orang lain—serta sungguh-sungguh tekun menyambut tamu?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry into how a brāhmaṇa can embody rigorous self-restraint (fasting/continence) while also fulfilling social duties of generosity—especially feeding others first and honoring guests—showing that dharma integrates personal discipline with service.
Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking clarity on prescribed brāhmaṇa conduct, asks the kingly authority he is addressing (in this parva’s setting, Bhīṣma as instructor) to explain how ideals like constant fasting, celibacy, eating only leftovers, and love of guests can be practically realized.