Shloka 17
Agni’s Withdrawal to the Forest and Identification with Āṅgirasa (अग्न्याङ्गिरस-इतिहासः)
पतिकी सेवा करते-करते उस मंगलमयी दृष्टिवाली देवीको भिक्षाके लिये खड़े हुए ब्राह्मगकी याद आयी ।। व्रीडिता साभवत् साध्वी तदा भरतसत्तम । भिक्षामादाय विप्राय निर्जगाम यशस्विनी,भरतवंशविभूषण! अपनी भूलके कारण वह यशस्विनी साध्वी स्त्री बहुत लज्जित हुई और ब्राह्मणके लिये भिक्षा लेकर घरसे बाहर निकली
Markaṇḍeya uvāca: patikī-sevāṃ kurvatī kurvatī sā maṅgalamayī dṛṣṭivālī devī bhikṣārthaṃ sthitaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ smṛtavatī. vrīḍitā sābhavat tadā, bharatasattama. bhikṣām ādāya viprāya nirjagāma yaśasvinī, bharatavaṃśavibhūṣaṇa.
Markandeya said: While she was continually engaged in serving her husband, that auspicious, clear-sighted lady suddenly remembered the Brahmin who was standing for alms. Realizing her lapse, she became deeply ashamed. Then, O best of the Bharatas, she took the alms meant for the Brahmin and went out to give it to him—her conduct marked by modesty and a renewed sense of duty.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when absorbed in one’s primary duties (here, household and spousal service), one must not neglect obligations toward guests and mendicants. Recognizing a lapse, feeling appropriate shame, and promptly correcting it are presented as marks of dharmic character.
A virtuous woman, busy serving her husband, suddenly remembers a Brahmin waiting for alms. Realizing she delayed him, she feels ashamed, takes the alms, and goes out to give it to him—restoring proper hospitality and duty.