Shloka 38
Rāma–Jāmadagnya-janma-kāraṇa and Kṣatra-kṣaya
Paraśurāma’s origins and the depletion/restoration of kṣatriya lineages
तृषितेन च कौन्तेय भिक्षितश्रित्रभानुना । सहस्रबाहुर्विक्रान्त: प्रादाद् भिक्षामथाग्नये,कुन्तीनन्दन! एक समय भूखे-प्यासे हुए अग्निदेवने पराक्रमी सहस्रबाहु अर्जुनसे भिक्षा माँगी और अर्जुनने अग्निको वह भिक्षा दे दी
tṛṣitena ca kaunteya bhikṣitena śikhitrabhānunā | sahasrabāhur vikrāntaḥ prādād bhikṣām athāgnaye ||
ಕೌಂತೇಯ! ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಹಸಿವು-ಬಾಯಾರಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ಪೀಡಿತನಾದ ಚಿತ್ರಭಾನು ಅಗ್ನಿದೇವನು ಪರಾಕ್ರಮಶಾಲಿ ಸಹಸ್ರಬಾಹು ಅರ್ಜುನನ ಬಳಿ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆಯನ್ನು ಬೇಡಿದನು; ಆಗ ಅರ್ಜುನನು ಅಗ್ನಿಗೆ ಆ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದನು.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dāna-dharma: when a worthy petitioner—especially a divine being—asks, a righteous and capable person should give promptly and respectfully, treating the request as an opportunity to uphold duty and generosity.
Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) recalls an earlier episode: Agni, suffering hunger and thirst, approached Sahasrabāhu Arjuna for “bhikṣā” (a requested gift). Sahasrabāhu Arjuna, famed for valor, granted Agni what he asked for.