Shloka 16
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
तत् कृत्वा स मुनिश्रेष्ठो धर्मसंकरमात्मन: । पश्चात्तापेन महता तप्यमानो<5भ्यचिन्तयत्
tat kṛtvā sa muniśreṣṭho dharmasaṅkaram ātmanaḥ | paścāttāpena mahatā tapyamāno 'bhyacintayat ||
அந்த ஸ்ராத்தத்தைச் செய்த பின், முனிவர்களில் சிறந்த நிமி, தன்னுள் தர்மக் கலக்கம் ஏற்பட்டதாக எண்ணினார்; பெரும் பச்சாத்தாபத்தால் எரிந்தவனாய், பின்னர் இவ்வாறு சிந்திக்கத் தொடங்கினான்।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a well-intended ritual act can become ethically problematic if it departs from established śāstric injunctions; recognizing such deviation, one should engage in honest self-scrutiny and repentance rather than self-justification.
After performing a śrāddha intended for his son, the sage Nimi realizes that the Vedic rule traditionally directs such rites toward ancestors (father, grandfather, etc.). Feeling he has created a ‘dharma-confusion’ by acting on personal choice, he is overwhelmed with remorse and begins to deliberate on what to do next.