Shloka 23
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
ततो<सस््य वितते यज्ञे नष्टो5 भूद्धव्यवाहन: । ततः सुदुःखितो राजा वाक्यमाह द्विजांस्तदा,तब अग्निदेव रुष्ट होकर राजाके आरम्भ हुए यज्ञमेंसे अदृश्य हो गये। इससे राजाको बड़ा दुःख हुआ और उन्होंने ब्राह्मणोंसे कहा--
tato 'sya vitate yajñe naṣṭo 'bhūd dhavyavāhanaḥ | tataḥ suduḥkhito rājā vākyam āha dvijān tadā ||
Então, enquanto o seu sacrifício era devidamente disposto e conduzido, Havyavāhana (Agni, o portador das oblações) desapareceu dele. O rei, tomado de grande aflição, dirigiu-se então aos brāhmaṇas—
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A sacrifice depends not only on correct external procedure but also on inner rectitude and divine acceptance; when Agni withdraws, the proper response is self-examination and seeking guidance from qualified Brahmins rather than pride or coercion.
During the king’s ongoing yajña, Agni (Havyavāhana), the essential carrier of offerings, disappears—indicating disruption or displeasure—so the king becomes deeply distressed and turns to the assembled Brahmins to ask what should be done.