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
tṛṣitena ca kaunteya bhikṣitena śikhitrabhānunā | sahasrabāhur vikrāntaḥ prādād bhikṣām athāgnaye ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Wahai putera Kuntī, ketika Agni—bersinar laksana nyala api yang menjulang—pernah diseksa lapar dan dahaga, Sahasrabāhu Arjuna yang gagah perkasa pun mengurniakan sedekah yang diminta kepadanya.” Peristiwa ini menonjolkan etika memberi kepada pemohon yang layak serta memuliakan permintaan ilahi tanpa ragu.
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.