Shloka 9
Haryaśva’s Agreement with Gālava and the Birth of Vasumanā
Nārada’s narration
नात: परं वैनतेय किंचित् पापिष्ठमुच्यते । यथाशानाशनालल्लोके देहि नास्तीति वा वच:
nātaḥ paraṃ vainateya kiṃcit pāpiṣṭham ucyate | yathāśānāśanāl loke dehi nāstīti vā vacaḥ |
Nārada berkata: “Wahai putera Vinatā (Garuḍa), tiada yang dikatakan lebih berdosa daripada ini: apabila di dunia seseorang datang dengan harapan memohon makanan atau pertolongan, lalu berkata, ‘Berilah,’ tetapi dijawab, ‘Pergilah—tiada apa padaku.’ Mematahkan harapan pemohon dengan cara demikian dihitung sebagai kesalahan yang paling berat.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns as extremely sinful the act of turning away a petitioner—especially one seeking sustenance—by dismissive denial that destroys hope. It elevates compassion and responsible giving (or at least humane response) as a central duty in dharma.
Nārada addresses Garuḍa (Vainateya) and delivers a moral instruction: among human failings, few are worse than rejecting someone who asks for help with the harsh reply, “I have nothing,” thereby frustrating the seeker’s expectation.