Shloka 9
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
हुत्वा शतसहस््र॑ं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम: । षष्ठे पछ्ठे तदा काले बभूव मितभोजन:,राजाओंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वपति ब्राह्मणोंके साथ प्रतिदिन गायत्री-मन्त्रसे एक लाख आहुति देकर दिनके छठे भागमें परिमित भोजन करते थे
hutvā śatasahasraṃ sa sāvitrayā rājasattamaḥ | ṣaṣṭhe bhakte tadā kāle babhūva mitabhojanaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: Ang pinakamainam sa mga hari, si Aśvapati, ay araw-araw na nag-aalay ng isang daang libong oblation kasama ng mga Brāhmaṇa, sa pamamagitan ng mantrang Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī). Namuhay siya sa takdang sukat ng pagkain, at kumakain lamang sa itinakdang oras—kapag dumating na ang ikaanim na bahagi ng araw.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sustained dharmic practice is shown through two linked disciplines: devotion (regular, large-scale mantra-oblation) and self-control (measured eating at a regulated time). The verse presents ethical kingship as grounded in tapas and restraint rather than indulgence.
Yudhiṣṭhira describes King Aśvapati’s long-standing austerity: he performs daily offerings using the Sāvitrī/Gāyatrī mantra—said here to total one hundred thousand—and follows a strict regimen of limited food taken at a fixed division of the day.