Shloka 8
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
शेषं निवेदयामास पित्रे तेन च तद्गुरु: । चोदित: प्रोक्षणायाह दुष्टमेतदकर्मकम् ॥ ८ ॥
śeṣaṁ nivedayām āsa pitre tena ca tad-guruḥ coditaḥ prokṣaṇāyāha duṣṭam etad akarmakam
विकुक्षीने उरलेले मांस पित्याला अर्पण केले; राजाने ते शुद्धीसाठी वसिष्ठांना दिले. पण वसिष्ठांनी ओळखले की त्यातील काही आधीच खाल्ले आहे, म्हणून ते म्हणाले— “हे दूषित आहे; श्राद्धकर्मास अयोग्य आहे।”
That which is meant to be offered in yajña cannot be tasted by anyone before being offered to the Deity. In our temples, this regulation is in effect. One cannot eat food from the kitchen unless it is offered to the Deity. If something is taken before being offered to the Deity, the entire preparation is polluted and can no longer be offered. Those engaged in Deity worship must know this very well so that they may be saved from committing offenses in Deity worship.
FAQs
This verse shows that when something is deemed spoiled or improper, even a priestly authority may refuse to purify it for sacrifice—dharma requires discernment, not mechanical ritual.
Because the remaining portion being presented was considered contaminated or improperly obtained/handled, the guru judged it unsuitable for sanctification and sacrificial use.
Offerings and spiritual practices should be done with integrity and cleanliness—externally (proper care) and internally (honesty and sincerity), rather than relying on shortcuts to “make it acceptable.”