Shloka 20
Āraṇyaka-parva Adhyāya 199: Dharmavyādha on Svakarma, Vidhi, and the Limits of Ahiṃsā
अथ शिबिस्तथैवाविकृतमुखवर्णो नगरं प्रविश्य ब्राह्मणं तमब्रवीत् सिद्ध भगवन्नन्नमिति ब्राह्मणो न किंचिद् व्याजहार विस्मयादधोमुखश्चासीत्,“यह सब सुनकर भी राजा शिबिके मुखकी कान्ति पूर्ववत् बनी रही। उसमें तनिक भी विकार न आया। वे नगरमें घुसकर ब्राह्मणसे बोले--'भगवन्! आपका भोजन तैयार है।' ब्राह्मण कुछ न बोला। वह आश्चर्यसे मुँह नीचा किये देखता रहा
atha śibis tathaivāvikṛtamukhavarṇo nagaraṃ praviśya brāhmaṇaṃ tam abravīt—siddhaṃ bhagavann annam iti; brāhmaṇo na kiṃcid vyājahāra vismayād adhomukhaś cāsīt.
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Então o rei Śibi, com a cor e a compostura do rosto inteiramente inalteradas, entrou na cidade e dirigiu-se àquele brāhmaṇa: “Venerável senhor, a refeição está pronta.” O brāhmaṇa, tomado de assombro, nada disse e permaneceu com o rosto inclinado.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic steadiness: Śibi’s face remains unchanged (avikṛta-mukha-varṇa), suggesting inner discipline and unwavering commitment to righteous conduct, especially in the context of honoring and serving a brāhmaṇa guest.
Śibi enters the city and tells the brāhmaṇa that the meal is ready. The brāhmaṇa, overwhelmed with wonder at what he has heard/seen about Śibi’s conduct, remains silent and looks downward.