Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
कश्यप उवाच नैतस्थेह यथास्माकं चत्वारश्न सहोदरा: । देहि देहीति भिक्षन्ति तेन पीवाउछुना सह
kaśyapa uvāca | naitastheha yathāsmākaṃ catvāraś ca sahodarāḥ | dehi dehīti bhikṣanti tena pīvau chunā saha |
Sabi ni Kashyapa: “Ang taong ito’y hindi ‘mataba’ sa paraang tulad natin. May apat tayong kapatid na iisang ina, at araw-araw silang namamalimos sa atin, ‘Magbigay, magbigay!’ Kaya pasan natin ang bigat ng pagpapakain at pagpapadamit sa malaking sambahayan. Ang nagtalikod-sa-mundo na ito’y walang ganitong pangamba; kaya siya’y maayos ang kabuhayan, kahit magaspang lamang ang pagkain, kasama ang kanyang aso.”
कश्यप उवाच
Kashyapa contrasts the householder’s obligations—supporting dependents who constantly ask for provisions—with the renunciant’s freedom from such anxieties. The point is that contentment and ‘well-being’ can arise from reduced attachment and responsibility, not from abundance.
Kashyapa explains why a renunciant appears comparatively well-nourished: unlike Kashyapa’s situation, where four brothers depend on him for daily sustenance, the ascetic has no large household to maintain and thus can live simply—sharing coarse food even with a dog—without the stress of provisioning many.