Shloka 9
ऋत्विग्धर्मः, दक्षिणा-न्यायः, तपसः परमार्थः
Ritvij-Dharma, the Norm of Dakṣiṇā, and the Higher Meaning of Tapas
श्रद्धावता च यष्टव्यमित्येषा वैदिकी श्रुति: । मिथ्योपेतस्य यज्ञस्य किमु श्रद्धा करिष्यति,दूसरी ओर वेदकी यह आज्ञा भी सुनी जाती है कि प्रत्येक श्रद्धालु पुरुषको यज्ञ करना चाहिये। यदि दरिद्र श्रद्धांके बलपर यज्ञमें प्रवृत्त हो और उचित दक्षिणा न दे सके तो वह यज्ञ मिथ्या भावसे युक्त होगा; उस दशामें उसकी न्यूनताकी पूर्ति श्रद्धा कैसे कर सकेगी?
śraddhāvatā ca yaṣṭavyam ity eṣā vaidikī śrutiḥ | mithyopetasya yajñasya kimu śraddhā kariṣyati ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: “E, no entanto, a revelação védica também declara: ‘Aquele que tem fé deve realizar o sacrifício.’ Mas se um pobre, apoiando-se apenas na fé, empreende o rito e não consegue oferecer a dakṣiṇā devida, esse sacrifício ficará manchado de falsidade. Nessa condição, que pode a fé, sozinha, fazer para suprir a falta?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Faith is praised by Vedic authority, but Yudhiṣṭhira questions whether faith alone can validate a sacrifice that is materially or procedurally defective—especially when the required obligations (such as proper offerings and sacrificial fees) cannot be fulfilled. The verse probes the ethical tension between sincere intent and responsible capacity.
In the Śānti Parva’s discussions on dharma and right conduct, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a doubt: scripture urges the faithful to perform yajña, yet a person lacking means may be unable to complete its duties. He asks whether such a sacrifice becomes ‘mithyā’ (invalid/tainted) and whether mere śraddhā can compensate for that deficiency.