Shloka 27
अन्निर्दहज्जातवेदा: सतां गृहान् विसर्जयंस्तेजसा न सम धाक्षीत् बालेषु पुत्रेषु कृपणं वदत्सु तथा वाचमवचिन्वन्ति सन्त:,अग्नि स्वभावसे ही दहन करनेवाला है तो भी वह ज्ञेय विषयको तत्काल जाननेमें समर्थ है। इस कारण परीक्षाके समय जो सदाचारी और सत्यवादी होते हैं उनके घरोंको (शरीरोंको) छोड़ देता है, जलाता नहीं। वैसे ही संतलोग भी विनम्रभावसे बोलनेवाले बालक पुत्रोंके वचनोंमेंसे जो सत्य और हितकर बात होती है, उसे चुन लेते हैं--(उसे मान लेते हैं, उनकी अवहेलना नहीं करते)। भाव यह कि तुमको मेरे वचनोंका भाव समझकर उन्हें ग्रहण करना चाहिये
agnir dahaj jātavedāḥ satāṁ gṛhān visṛjan tejasā na saṁdadhākṣīt | bāleṣu putreṣu kṛpaṇaṁ vadatsu tathā vācam avacinvanti santaḥ ||
Agnī, the all-knowing fire, is by nature a burner; yet at the time of testing it releases the dwellings of the righteous and does not consume them with its heat. In the same way, when young sons speak humbly and even timidly, the wise discern and select from their words what is true and beneficial, rather than dismissing them. Therefore, you should grasp the intended meaning of my words and accept them.
अद्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The wise do not reject a statement merely because it comes from someone young or seemingly insignificant; they discern and accept the truthful and beneficial essence—just as fire, though naturally burning, spares the righteous in a test.
Aṣṭāvakra uses the analogy of Agni’s ‘test’—where the righteous are spared—to advise the listener to understand the intent of his counsel and to accept what is true and helpful, even if it is spoken with humility or by the young.