Shloka 2
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
ब्राह्मणो बहुभोक्तास्मि भुड्जेडपरिमितं सदा । भिक्षे वार्ष्णेयपार्थो वामेकां तृप्तिं प्रयच्छतम्,“मैं अधिक भोजन करनेवाला एक ब्राह्मण हूँ और सदा अपरिमित अन्न भोजन करता हूँ। वीर श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन! आज मैं आप दोनोंसे भिक्षा माँगता हूँ। आपलोग एक बार पूर्ण भोजन कराकर मुझे तृप्ति प्रदान कीजिये”
vaiśampāyana uvāca | brāhmaṇo bahubhoktāsmi bhuñje 'parimitaṃ sadā | bhikṣe vārṣṇeyapārtho vāṃ ekāṃ tṛptiṃ prayacchatam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “I am a brāhmaṇa of great appetite; I always consume food without measure. O Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa) and Pārtha (Arjuna), today I beg alms from you both—grant me a single full satisfaction by feeding me to contentment.” The request frames hospitality and generosity as a test of dharma, where the worth of giving is measured not by ease but by the sincerity to fulfill a guest’s need.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma and dāna: a righteous person should honor a guest’s request and give with sincerity, even when the request is demanding. The ethical focus is on generosity that meets genuine need rather than convenient charity.
An unnamed brāhmaṇa approaches Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna and asks for alms in the form of a complete meal, stating that he habitually eats in great quantity. His appeal sets up a situation where the two heroes’ commitment to hospitality and dharma can be demonstrated.