Shloka 18
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
न हि मे वर्तते बुद्धिर्गन्तु ब्रह्मन् बृहस्पतिम् । प्रत्याख्यातो हि तेनास्मि तथानपकृते सति,ब्रह्म! अब बृहस्पतिके पास जानेका मेरा विचार नहीं है; क्योंकि बिना अपराधके ही उन्होंने मेरी प्रार्थना अस्वीकृत कर दी है
na hi me vartate buddhir gantum brahman bṛhaspatim | pratyākhyāto hi tenāsmi tathānapakṛte sati, brahman ||
हे ब्रह्मन्! आता बृहस्पतीकडे जाण्याचा माझा विचार नाही; कारण कोणताही अपराध नसताना त्यांनी माझी विनंती नाकारली आहे.
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical stance grounded in self-respect and fairness: when one has committed no offense yet is refused, repeatedly seeking the refuser may compromise one’s dignity and distort proper relational conduct (maryādā) between patron and priest/teacher.
Marutta addresses a Brahmin and declares that he will not go to Bṛhaspati, because Bṛhaspati has already rejected his request despite Marutta having done no wrong. This sets up a shift in counsel or priestly support away from Bṛhaspati.