Shloka 173
पञ्चवर्णोत्पत्तिः — The Origin of the Five-Colored Fiery Being and Ritual-Disruptor Lineages
दुःखेन चाधिगच्छन्ति भोजन द्विजसत्तम | विप्रवर! दूसरे बहुत-से ऐसे मनुष्य हैं, जिनकी भुजाओंमें बल है--जो स्वस्थ और अन्नको पचानेमें समर्थ हैं, परंतु उन्हें बड़ी कठिनाईसे भोजन मिल पाता है--वे सदा ही अन्नका कष्ट भोगते रहते हैं
duḥkhena cādhigacchanti bhojanaṃ dvijasattama | vipravara! anye bahavo 'pi tādṛśā manuṣyāḥ santi yeṣāṃ bhujayoḥ balaṃ vidyate—ye svasthā annapācane samarthāś ca, kintu teṣāṃ bhojanaṃ mahākaṣṭena labhyate—te sadā eva annasya kaṣṭaṃ bhogayanti |
Pemburu itu berkata: “Wahai yang terbaik antara golongan dua kali lahir, wahai Brahmin termulia! Ramai lagi manusia yang demikian: lengan mereka kuat, mereka sihat dan mampu menghadam makanan, namun untuk memperoleh satu hidangan pun amat sukar. Mereka terus-menerus menanggung derita lapar dan perjuangan mencari rezeki.”
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights a moral insight central to dharma: outward strength and capability do not guarantee livelihood. Recognizing that many suffer hunger despite being able-bodied encourages compassion, humility, and a non-judgmental view toward those in distress.
Vyadha addresses a Brahmin respectfully and points to the harsh realities of human life: even healthy, strong people may struggle to obtain food. This forms part of his broader instruction on practical dharma grounded in empathy and lived experience.