Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
ऋषय ऊचु: इष्टमेतद् द्विजातीनां योड्यं ते शपथ: कृत: । त्वया कृतं बिसस्तैन्यं सर्वेषां न: शुन:सख
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ—iṣṭam etad dvijātīnāṃ yadyaṃ te śapathaḥ kṛtaḥ | tvayā kṛtaṃ bisastainyaṃ sarveṣāṃ naḥ śunaḥsakha ||
رِشیوں نے کہا—اے شُنَہسَکھ! تم نے جو قسم کھائی ہے وہ دِوِجوں کو نہایت پسند ہے؛ اس لیے ظاہر ہوتا ہے کہ ہمارے کنول کے ڈنڈوں کی چوری تم ہی نے کی ہے۔
शुन:सख उवाच
The verse highlights how vows and pious-sounding statements can be used as social signals; ethical discernment requires looking beyond the form of an oath to the intent and likelihood of wrongdoing.
A group of sages address Śunaḥsakha and infer from the nature of his oath—something agreeable to Brahmins—that he is likely the one who stole their lotus-stalks, thus openly accusing him.