Shloka 98
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
यदि नेच्छति मे दानं यथा दत्तमनेन वै । भवानत्र स्थिरो भूत्वा मार्गे स्थापयिताद्य नौ
yadi necchati me dānaṃ yathā dattam anena vai | bhavān atra sthiro bhūtvā mārge sthāpayitādya nau ||
اگر وہ مجھ سے ویسا ہی عطیہ لینا نہیں چاہتا جیسا اس نے مجھے دیا تھا، تو آپ یہاں ثابت قدم رہ کر آج ہم دونوں کو دھرم کے راستے پر قائم کر دیجیے۔
विरूप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic reciprocity and moral steadiness: when a fair exchange of giving is refused, a wise and steady guide should help both parties remain aligned with dharma rather than letting pride, refusal, or imbalance derail ethical conduct.
Virūpa addresses a respected third party, explaining that if the other person will not accept a return-gift comparable to what he gave, then the addressee should stand firm and guide both of them onto the righteous course—acting as an arbiter to preserve dharma between the two.