Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
एष पाणिरपूर्व मे निक्षेपार्थ प्रसारित: । यन्मे धारयसे विप्र तदिदानीं प्रदीयताम्
eṣa pāṇir apūrvo me nikṣepārthaṁ prasāritaḥ | yan me dhārayase vipra tad idānīṁ pradīyatām ||
یہ میرا ہاتھ، جو پہلے کبھی اس طرح نہیں پھیلا تھا، آج امانت لینے کے لیے بڑھا ہے۔ اے برہمن! جو کچھ تم میرے لیے تھامے ہوئے ہو، وہ اب مجھے دے دو۔
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse highlights ethical accountability in custodianship: when something is held for another, it should be returned promptly upon rightful request. It underscores trust, proper restitution, and the dharmic duty to give back what is due.
A speaker (identified as a brāhmaṇa in the dialogue) extends his hand to receive something that another brāhmaṇa has been keeping for him, formally requesting that it be handed over now.