Shloka 21
अश्वपतिर्वाच गुणैरुपेतं सर्वैस्तं भगवन् प्रब्रवीषि मे । दोषानप्यस्य मे ब्रूहि यदि सन््तीह केचन,अश्वपति बोले--भगवन्! आप तो उसे सभी गुणोंसे सम्पन्न ही बता रहे हैं, यदि उसमें कोई दोष हों तो उन्हें भी बतलाइये
Aśvapatir uvāca: guṇair upetaṁ sarvais taṁ bhagavan prabravīṣi me | doṣān apy asya me brūhi yadi santīha kecana ||
Aśvapati said: “Revered sir, you describe him to me as endowed with every virtue. If, however, there are any faults in him here, please tell me those as well.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models ethical discernment: praise should be balanced with honest scrutiny. Aśvapati seeks a complete evaluation—virtues as well as possible faults—so that judgment and action rest on truth rather than flattery.
In a dialogue context, Aśvapati responds to a revered speaker who has described someone as fully virtuous. Aśvapati requests that any defects also be stated, indicating a desire for a fair and comprehensive account.