Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 50
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
मन्त्रिण ऊचु. उपधिं शंकमानास्ते हित्वा तानि फलानि वै । ततोडन्येनैव गच्छन्ति विदितं तेडस्तु पार्थिव
mantriṇa ūcuḥ | upadhiṁ śaṅkamānās te hitvā tāni phalāni vai | tato 'nyenaiva gacchanti viditaṁ te 'stu pārthiva ||
Sinabi ng mga ministro: “O Hari, ipabatid sa inyo—pagkakita pa lamang nila sa mga bungang iyon, nagduda ang mga pantas na sila’y nililinlang. Kaya iniwan nila ang mga bungang iyon at nagpatuloy sa ibang daan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When deceit is suspected—even if not proven—the morally sensitive withdraw from participation. Ethical governance therefore requires not only avoiding fraud but also avoiding actions that reasonably appear deceptive, since trust is central to dharma.
The ministers inform the king that the sages, suspecting a trick upon seeing the fruits, refused them and chose a different route instead. The report underscores the sages’ caution and the reputational consequences of perceived dishonesty.