Shloka 26
Adhyāya 90: Babhruvāhana’s Reception and the Commencement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Aśvamedha
षष्ठे काले सदा विप्रो भुड्धक्ते तैः सह सुव्रत: । षष्ठे काले कदाचित् तु तस्याहारो न विद्यते
ṣaṣṭhe kāle sadā vipro bhṛtyabhakte taiḥ saha suvrataḥ | ṣaṣṭhe kāle kadācit tu tasyāhāro na vidyate ||
नकुल उवाच—षष्ठे काले सदा विप्रो भृत्यभक्ते तैः सह सुव्रतः। षष्ठे काले कदाचित्तु तस्याहारो न विद्यते॥
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined living and ethical endurance: a virtuous person keeps a vow and shares in the simplest fare with dependents, yet must also face moments of scarcity without abandoning righteousness.
Nakula describes a brāhmaṇa who customarily eats at a fixed “sixth” time, taking the servants’ portion along with them; on one particular day, when that time comes, there is no food available for him.