Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 50
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
अग्निरुवाच ब्रूत यद् भवतां कार्य कर्तास्मि तदहं सुरा: । भवतां तु नियोज्यो5स्मि मा वो<त्रास्तु विचारणा
agnir uvāca brūta yad bhavatāṁ kāryaṁ kartāsmi tad ahaṁ surāḥ | bhavatāṁ tu niyojyo ’smi mā vo ’trāstu vicāraṇā ||
Sinabi ni Agni: “Sabihin ninyo sa akin ang gawaing nais ninyong ipagawa, O mga diyos; aking isasakatuparan. Ako’y nasa ilalim ng inyong pag-uutos—huwag nawa kayong mag-alinlangan o magdalawang-isip sa bagay na ito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights niyoga (being directed for a rightful purpose) and steadfastness in duty: once a legitimate authority assigns a task, one should act without wavering or needless doubt.
Agni addresses the gods, assuring them that he will carry out whatever work they require. He invites them to state their purpose and asks them not to hesitate, emphasizing his readiness to be commanded.