Shloka 23
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
ततो<सस््य वितते यज्ञे नष्टो5 भूद्धव्यवाहन: । ततः सुदुःखितो राजा वाक्यमाह द्विजांस्तदा
tato 'sya vitate yajñe naṣṭo 'bhūd dhavyavāhanaḥ | tataḥ suduḥkhito rājā vākyam āha dvijān tadā ||
そののち、祭祀が正しく整えられ執り行われている最中、供物を運ぶ者ハヴィヤヴァーハナ（火神アグニ）がその祭場から姿を消した。王は深く嘆き、その時バラモンたちに語りかけた——
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A sacrifice depends not only on correct external procedure but also on inner rectitude and divine acceptance; when Agni withdraws, the proper response is self-examination and seeking guidance from qualified Brahmins rather than pride or coercion.
During the king’s ongoing yajña, Agni (Havyavāhana), the essential carrier of offerings, disappears—indicating disruption or displeasure—so the king becomes deeply distressed and turns to the assembled Brahmins to ask what should be done.