Shloka 14
Raibhya-putrayoḥ satra-vṛttāntaḥ — The Satra Episode of Raibhya’s Sons
Parāvasu and Arvāvasu
लोगश उवाच तच्छुत्वैव तदा राजा प्रेष्यानाह स विट्पते । प्रेष्यैरुत्सार्यमाणस्तु राजन्नर्वावसुस्तदा,लोमशजी कहते हैं--प्रजानाथ! परावसुकी यह बात सुनते ही राजाने अपने सेवकोंको यह आज्ञा दी कि “अर्वावसुको भीतर न आने दो।” राजन्! उस समय सेवकोंद्वारा हटाये जानेपर अर्वावसुने बार-बार यह कहा कि -मैंने ब्रह्महत्या नहीं की है।' भारत! तो भी राजाके सेवक उन्हें ब्रह्महत्यारा कहकर ही सम्बोधित करते थे
lomaśa uvāca tac chrutvaiva tadā rājā preṣyān āha sa viṭpate | preṣyair utsāryamāṇas tu rājann arvāvasus tadā |
Lomaśa said: Hearing that very report, the king at once commanded his attendants, “O lord of the people, drive him away.” And as Arvāvasu was being pushed out by the servants, he repeatedly protested before the king, “I have not committed brahmahatyā (the killing of a brāhmaṇa).” Yet the king’s men continued to address him as a ‘brahmahatyā-doer,’ showing how public accusation and royal order can overpower a person’s plea of innocence.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension: royal authority and social stigma can condemn someone even amid protestations of innocence. It points to the dharmic need for careful inquiry and fair judgment, especially in charges involving grave sin like brahmahatyā.
After hearing a report, the king orders his servants to expel Arvāvasu. As he is driven away, Arvāvasu repeatedly insists he has not committed brahmahatyā, but the servants still treat him as guilty and push him out.