Shloka 23
Agni’s Withdrawal to the Forest and Identification with Āṅgirasa (अग्न्याङ्गिरस-इतिहासः)
रूयुवाच नाहं बलाका विदप्रर्षे त्यज क्रोध॑ं तपोधन,स्त्री बोली--तपोधन! क्रोध न करो। ब्रह्मर्ष! मैं बगुली नहीं हूँ जो तुम्हारी इस क्रोधभरी दृष्टिसे जल जाऊँगी। तुम इस तरह कुपित होकर मेरा क्या करोगे? मैं ब्राह्मणोंका अपमान नहीं करती। मनस्वी ब्राह्मण तो देवताके समान होते हैं
strī uvāca | na ahaṃ balākā vidarṣaḥ | tyaja krodhaṃ tapodhana | brahmarṣe! māṃ krodhadṛṣṭyā na dagdhum arhasi | tvaṃ kṛddhaḥ san mama kiṃ kariṣyasi | na ahaṃ brāhmaṇān avamanyāmi | manasvinaḥ brāhmaṇā devatāsamaḥ ||
女は言った。「私はあの鷺ではありません、聖者よ。怒りを捨ててください、苦行に富むお方。ブラフマルシよ、憤怒の眼差しで私を焼くことはできません。怒り狂って私に何を成そうというのです。私はバラモンを侮りません。高き心を持つバラモンは神々に等しいのです。」
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Anger, even when backed by ascetic power, should be restrained; true dharma includes self-control and measured conduct. Respect for Brahmins is affirmed, yet the verse also cautions that spiritual potency must not be misused as intimidation.
A woman addresses an enraged Brahmin-sage who has displayed (or is about to display) wrath like the earlier incident of burning a heron with a glance. She tells him she is not that bird, urges him to abandon anger, and clarifies that she does not disrespect Brahmins, who are regarded as godlike.