Shloka 16
Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 116: Jamadagni–Reṇukā Narrative and the Kārtavīrya Conflict
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account
ममेदं वचनात् तात कृतं ते कर्म दुष्करम् वृणीष्व कामान् धर्मज्ञ यावतों वाउ्छसे हृदा,“तात! तुमने मेरे कहनेसे यह कार्य किया है, जिसे करना दूसरोंके लिये बहुत कठिन है। तुम धर्मके ज्ञाता हो। तुम्हारे मनमें जो-जो कामनाएँ हों, उन सबको माँग लो।” तब परशुरामजीने कहा--'पिताजी! मेरी माता जीवित हो उठें, उन्हें मेरे द्वारा मारे जानेकी बात याद न रहे, वह मानस-पाप उनका स्पर्श न कर सके, मेरे चारों भाई स्वस्थ हो जायाँ, युद्धमें मेरा सामना करनेवाला कोई न हो और मैं बड़ी आयु प्राप्त करूँ।” भारत! महातपस्वी जमदग्निने वरदान देकर उनकी वे सभी कामनाएँ पूर्ण कर दीं
mamedam vacanāt tāta kṛtaṃ te karma duṣkaram | vṛṇīṣva kāmān dharmajña yāvato vāñchase hṛdā ||
Akṛtavraṇa said: “My child, at my bidding you have accomplished a deed that is exceedingly difficult for others to perform. You are a knower of dharma. Therefore, ask for whatever boons your heart desires.”
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral economy of action and reward: a difficult duty performed in obedience to a legitimate authority is acknowledged, and the doer—described as dharmajña—is invited to choose boons. It highlights discernment (dharma-jñāna) as the proper guide for desire (kāma) when rewards are offered.
Akṛtavraṇa addresses his son after the son has carried out a very hard task at his command. Pleased, he grants the son the right to ask for any boons his heart desires, setting up the subsequent request-and-grant sequence in the surrounding passage.