Shloka 1
दधीच्यास्थिवज्रनिर्माणोपाख्यानम् | The Forging of the Vajra from Dadhīca’s Bones
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपर्वके अन्तर्गत तीर्थयात्रापर्वमें लोगशती र्थयात्राके प्रसंगमें अगस्त्योपाख्यानविषयक सत्तानबेवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ९७ ॥ हि आम [चुके हि २ अष्टनवतितमोब् ध्याय: धन प्राप्त करनेके लिये अगस्त्यका श्रुतर्वा, ब्रध्नश्व और त्रसदस्यु आदिके पास जाना लोगश उवाच ततो जगाम कौरव्य सो5गस्त्यो भिक्षितुं वसु । श्रुतर्वाणं महीपालं यं वेदाभ्यधिकं नृपैः,लोमशजी कहते हैं--कुरुनन्दन! तदनन्तर अगस्त्यजी धन माँगनेके लिये महाराज श्रुतर्वाके पास गये, जिन्हें वे सब राजाओंसे अधिक वैभवसम्पन्न समझते थे
Lomaśa uvāca—tato jagāma kauravya so ’gastyo bhikṣituṁ vasu | śrutarvāṇaṁ mahīpālaṁ yaṁ vedābhyadhikaṁ nṛpaiḥ ||
Lomaśa said: “Then, O scion of the Kurus, that Agastya went to beg for wealth. He approached King Śrutarvā, a ruler of the earth, whom he regarded as surpassing other kings in riches.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames wealth as ethically meaningful when it supports dharmic purposes: a sage may request resources not for personal indulgence but to uphold duties (such as hospitality, sacrifice, or aiding others), while a king’s greatness is tested by generosity and righteous stewardship.
Lomaśa continues the Agastya episode during the pilgrimage narrative: Agastya sets out to obtain wealth and goes to King Śrutarvā, reputed to be exceptionally affluent among rulers.