Shloka 19
नारद–शुक संवादः
Impermanence, Svabhāva, and Śuka’s Resolve for Yoga
मिषतो देवलस्यापि ततो<र्ध हृतवानहम् । स्ववेददक्षिणायार्थे विमर्दे मातुलेन ह
miṣato devalasyāpi tato 'rdhaṃ hṛtavān aham | svavedadakṣiṇāyārthe vimarde mātulena ha ||
Yājñavalkya disse: “Mesmo enquanto o sábio Devala observava, tomei metade para mim. Para cumprir a dakṣiṇā devida ao meu próprio mestre védico, e porque meu tio materno insistia com veemência, entreguei-lhe metade daquela oferenda e retive a outra metade.”
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical conflict: fulfilling one’s legitimate obligation (guru-dakṣiṇā for one’s own Vedic study) can be complicated by improper claims and social pressure. It implicitly warns that even a seemingly practical compromise—splitting a gift—may be morally questionable when it violates the integrity of what should be offered wholly and transparently.
Yājñavalkya recounts an incident involving the sage Devala and his maternal uncle. Under the uncle’s insistent urging, and even in Devala’s presence, Yājñavalkya divides the dakṣiṇā: he gives half to the uncle and keeps half for his own Vedic teacher’s fee.