Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 21
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ भुगुजी! इस समय हमारे लिये जो कर्तव्य प्राप्त हो, वह बताइये। आप जैसा कहेंगे वैसा ही मैं करूँगा; इसमें संशय नहीं है
vaktṝṇāṃ śreṣṭha bhṛgojī! asmin samaye asmābhyaḥ yo kartavyaḥ prāptaḥ, taṃ vada. yathā tvaṃ vakṣyasi tathā eva ahaṃ kariṣyāmi; atra saṃśayo nāsti.
阿伽斯提耶说道：“噢，婆利古，诸说者之最胜者！请告诉我，此刻落在我们身上的职责是什么。你怎么说，我就怎么做——对此毫无疑虑。”
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic decision-making through humility and reliance on wise counsel: when duty becomes unclear or urgent, one should seek guidance from a recognized authority and commit to acting without wavering.
Agastya addresses the sage Bhṛgu with reverence, asking him to specify what duty is presently required. He pledges to follow Bhṛgu’s instruction exactly, emphasizing trust in the advisor and readiness to act.