Shloka 7
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 104: Nārada on Suhṛt and Nirbandha; the Viśvāmitra–Gālava Exemplum Begins
सो5हं प्राणान् विमोक्ष्यामि तथा परिजनो मम | ये च भृत्या मम गृहे प्रीतिमान् भव वासव,वासव! अब मैं प्राण त्याग दूँगा। मेरे परिवारमें तथा मेरे घरमें जो भरण-पोषण करनेयोग्य प्राणी हैं, वे भी भोजनके अभावमें प्राण दे देंगें। अब आप अकेले संतुष्ट होइये
so 'haṁ prāṇān vimokṣyāmi tathā parijano mama | ye ca bhṛtyā mama gṛhe prītimān bhava vāsava ||
Garuda nói: “Vậy thì ta sẽ bỏ mạng—và cả gia quyến ta cũng thế. Những kẻ nương nhờ sự chu cấp của ta trong nhà sẽ chết vì thiếu ăn. Nay, hỡi Vāsava, hãy thỏa lòng—một mình.”
गरुड उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical responsibility toward dependents: one’s choices affect not only oneself but also those sustained by one’s care. It frames satisfaction gained at others’ cost as morally troubling.
Garuda addresses Indra (Vāsava) in a moment of sharp moral pressure, declaring that if the situation continues he will relinquish his life—and that his household and dependents, deprived of sustenance, will also die—urging Indra to be content even if it means being satisfied alone.