Shloka 16
कथं हाहं प्रतिश्रुत्य देवतानां विशेषतः । परार्थे यत्नमारभ्य कथं स्वार्थमिहोत्सहे,“मैं देवताओंके सामने प्रतिज्ञा करके विशेषत: परोपकारके लिये प्रयत्न आरम्भ करके अब यहाँ स्वार्थ-साधनके लिये कैसे उत्साहित हो सकता हूँ?
kathaṃ hāhaṃ pratiśrutya devatānāṃ viśeṣataḥ | parārthe yatnamārabhya kathaṃ svārtham ihotsahe ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “How could I—after making a solemn promise before the gods, and having undertaken effort especially for the sake of another—now, here, bring myself to pursue my own self-interest? Such a turn would betray the very ethical ground of my vow.”
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
A vow made in the presence of the gods binds one ethically; having begun an undertaking for others’ welfare (parārtha), it is improper to pivot to self-serving aims (svārtha). The verse upholds integrity, consistency in purpose, and fidelity to one’s pledged dharma.
Bṛhadaśva reflects aloud on the moral impossibility of abandoning a divinely witnessed promise. He emphasizes that since his effort was initiated for another’s benefit, he cannot now justify acting for personal advantage in the same matter.