Shloka 14
शुनःशेफविक्रयः
The Sale of Śunaḥśepa for the Sacrifice
सर्वे परिसृता देशा याज्ञीयं न लभे पशुम्।।।।दातुमर्हसि मूल्येन सुतमेकमितो मम।4
sarve parisṛtā deśā yājñīyaṃ na labhe paśum | dātum arhasi mūlyena sutam ekam ito mama ||
मी सर्व देशांत फिरून आलो, तरी यज्ञास योग्य असा पशु मला मिळाला नाही। म्हणून कृपा करून मूल्य घेऊन आपल्या पुत्रांपैकी एक पुत्र मला द्यावा॥
I have roamed all countries but could not final the sacrificial animal. Should'nt you spare one of your sons for a price"?
FAQs
Dharma involves both ends and means: the king’s stated goal is ritual completion, but the request tests whether desire to finish a rite can justify morally troubling methods.
Ambarīṣa explains his failed search for a sacrificial animal and renews his request for one of Ṛcīka’s sons in exchange for payment.
Persistence in duty, alongside the emerging need for ethical discrimination about what may be asked of others.