Shloka 9
Marutta Seeks a Priest: Bṛhaspati’s Refusal and Nārada’s Guidance to Saṃvarta
Chapter 6
न त्वां याजयितास्म्यद्य वृणु यं त्वमिहेच्छसि । उपाध्यायं महाबाहो यस्ते यज्ञ करिष्यति,महाबाहो! मैं तुम्हारा यज्ञ नहीं कराऊँगा। तुम दूसरे जिसको चाहो उसीको अपना पुरोहित बना लो। जो तुम्हारा यज्ञ करायेगा
na tvāṁ yājayitāsmy adya vṛṇu yaṁ tvam ihecchasi | upādhyāyaṁ mahābāho yas te yajñaṁ kariṣyati ||
Marutta said: “I will not officiate your sacrifice today. Choose here whomever you wish as your priest—someone who will perform your yajña for you, O mighty-armed one.”
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual authority is not automatic: a sacrifice requires a willing and qualified officiant. The verse highlights ethical agency in priestly duty—one may refuse to officiate and the patron must choose an appropriate priest rather than compel service.
Marutta addresses a mighty-armed person and declines to conduct his sacrifice at that moment, instructing him to appoint another upādhyāya (priest/ritual teacher) who will perform the yajña.