Shloka 26
अध्वर्यु–यति संवादः
Adhvaryu–Yati Dialogue on Svabhāva, Ahiṃsā, and Mokṣa
भगवन् भगवदबुद्धया प्रतिपन्नो ब्रवीम्पहम् । व्रतं मन्त्रकृतं कर्तुर्नापराधो5स्ति मे द्विज,अध्वर्युने कहा--बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ यते! इस जगतमें आप-जैसे साधुपुरुषोंके साथ ही निवास करना उचित है। आपका यह मत सुनकर मेरी बुद्धिमें भी ऐसी ही प्रतीति हो रही है। भगवन्! विप्रवर! मैं आपकी बुद्धिसे ज्ञानसम्पन्न होकर यह बात कह रहा हूँ कि वेदमन्त्रोंद्वारा निश्चित किये हुए व्रतका ही मैं पालन कर रहा हूँ। अतः इसमें मेरा कोई अपराध नहीं है
bhagavan bhagavadbuddhayā pratipanno bravīmy aham | vrataṃ mantrakṛtaṃ kartuḥ nāparādho 'sti me dvija ||
O venerable one, having adopted the understanding that accords with the Lord (and with your enlightened counsel), I speak as follows: I am observing only that vow which has been established by Vedic mantras for the performer of the rite. Therefore, O twice-born one, there is no fault on my part in this matter.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person should be judged in light of dharma as defined by authorized injunctions: when one follows a vow established by Vedic mantras for a ritual context, one should not be blamed as if acting from personal whim; ethical assessment must consider scriptural duty and intention.
A Brahmin speaker responds to a learned interlocutor, asserting that his conduct is not a personal offense because he is simply maintaining a vow prescribed by Vedic mantras for the performer of the rite; he frames his statement as arising from enlightened understanding.