Shloka 9
Marutta Seeks a Priest: Bṛhaspati’s Refusal and Nārada’s Guidance to Saṃvarta
Chapter 6
न त्वां याजयितास्म्यद्य वृणु यं त्वमिहेच्छसि । उपाध्यायं महाबाहो यस्ते यज्ञ करिष्यति,महाबाहो! मैं तुम्हारा यज्ञ नहीं कराऊँगा। तुम दूसरे जिसको चाहो उसीको अपना पुरोहित बना लो। जो तुम्हारा यज्ञ करायेगा
na tvāṁ yājayitāsmy adya vṛṇu yaṁ tvam ihecchasi | upādhyāyaṁ mahābāho yas te yajñaṁ kariṣyati ||
Marutta berkata: “Pada hari ini aku tidak akan memimpin korban sucimu. Wahai yang berlengan perkasa, pilihlah di sini sesiapa yang engkau kehendaki sebagai guru pendeta—dialah yang akan melaksanakan yajña untukmu.”
मरुत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual authority is not automatic: a sacrifice requires a willing and qualified officiant. The verse highlights ethical agency in priestly duty—one may refuse to officiate and the patron must choose an appropriate priest rather than compel service.
Marutta addresses a mighty-armed person and declines to conduct his sacrifice at that moment, instructing him to appoint another upādhyāya (priest/ritual teacher) who will perform the yajña.