Shloka 16
सुमहत्यपराधेऊपि क्षान्ति: कार्या द्विजातिभि: | यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं पूजा ग्राह्मा द्विजोत्तम,“विप्रवर! सेवकका महान् अपराध होनेपर भी ब्राह्मणोंको क्षमा करनी चाहिये तथा शक्ति और उत्साहके अनुसार उनके द्वारा की हुई सेवा-पूजा स्वीकार कर लेनी चाहिये”
sumahaty aparādhe 'pi kṣāntiḥ kāryā dvijātibhiḥ | yathāśakti yathotsāhaṃ pūjā grāhyā dvijottama ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Even when a servant has committed a very great offence, those who are twice-born should practice forgiveness. And, O best of Brahmins, they should accept the service and acts of reverence offered to them, in accordance with the servant’s capacity and sincere effort.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches kṣānti (forgiveness) as a key dharmic discipline for the dvija community: even when a dependent commits a serious fault, one should restrain anger, forgive, and accept whatever respectful service is offered, judging it by the person’s capacity and sincerity rather than by perfection.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a norm of conduct is being stated for Brahmins/elders: how they should respond to wrongdoing by a servant or subordinate—by maintaining forbearance and receiving the person’s attempted acts of honour and service in proportion to their ability and earnestness.