Shloka 4
भरद्वाजपुत्रवधः
The Slaying of Bharadvāja’s Son and the Sage’s Lament
अग्निहोत्रगृहमें यह विकृति देखकर उन महातपस्वी भरद्वाजने वहाँ बैठे हुए अन्धे गृहरक्षक शूद्रसे पूछा-- ।। कि नु मे नाग्नय: शूद्र प्रतिनन्दन्ति दर्शनम् । त्वं चापि न यथापूर्व कच्चित् क्षेममिहाश्रमे
kiṃ nu me nāgnayaḥ śūdra pratinandanti darśanam | tvaṃ cāpi na yathāpūrvaṃ kaccit kṣemam ihāśrame ||
Vendo essa anomalia na casa do Agnihotra, o grande asceta Bharadvāja perguntou ao Śūdra cego que ali servia como guardião: “Por que, ó Śūdra, meus fogos sagrados não parecem acolher a minha presença? E tu também não estás como antes—dize-me: está tudo bem e seguro neste eremitério?”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the āśrama ideal that ritual order and moral order are linked: when the sacred fires and the guardian’s demeanor seem altered, the sage treats it as a sign to inquire into the hermitage’s kṣema (safety and well-being). Vigilance, responsibility, and concern for the community’s welfare are presented as part of dharma.
Bharadvāja notices a disturbing irregularity in the Agnihotra setting—his fires do not appear to ‘welcome’ him, and the blind Śūdra guardian seems changed. He questions the guardian to learn what has gone wrong and whether the hermitage remains safe.