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Shloka 85

Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption

देवकार्यमकृत्वा तु पितृकार्यमथापि वा । अनिर्वाप्य समश्नन्‌ वै मृतो जायति वायस:,जो देवकार्य अथवा पितृकार्य न करके बलि-वैश्वदेव किये बिना ही अन्न ग्रहण करता है, वह मरनेके बाद कौएकी योनिमें जन्म लेता है

devakāryam akṛtvā tu pitṛkāryam athāpi vā | anirvāpyā samaśnan vai mṛto jāyati vāyasaḥ ||

玉提施提罗说道:“若有人进食之前不行对诸神之事,亦不行对祖灵之事,不先作应有的供献(如婆利与毗湿瓦提婆祭),则其死后将转生于乌鸦之胎。”

देवकार्यम्duty/rite for the gods
देवकार्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदेवकार्य
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अकृत्वाhaving not done
अकृत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral), Non-finite
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
पितृकार्यम्duty/rite for the ancestors
पितृकार्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपितृकार्य
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अथor/then
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
अपिalso/even
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
वाor
वा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवा
अनिर्वाप्यwithout offering (oblations)/without making the bali-offering
अनिर्वाप्य:
TypeVerb
Rootनिर्वा/निर्वप्
Formल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), अनिः- (negative prefix), Non-finite
समश्नन्eating/partaking (food)
समश्नन्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअश्
Formशतृ (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular
वैindeed
वै:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवै
मृतःdead (having died)
मृतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमृत
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
जायतिis born
जायति:
TypeVerb
Rootजन्
FormPresent, Indicative, Atmanepada, Third, Singular
वायसःa crow
वायसः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवायस
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

युधिछिर उवाच

Y
Yudhiṣṭhira
D
devas (gods)
P
pitṛs (ancestors)
V
vāyasa (crow)

Educational Q&A

Food should not be consumed as mere private enjoyment; one must first honor obligations to the gods and ancestors through prescribed offerings (such as bali and vaiśvadeva). Neglecting these duties is presented as adharma with karmic consequences, symbolized by rebirth as a crow.

In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira voices a dharma statement about proper conduct before eating, emphasizing ritual gratitude and responsibility toward devas and pitṛs, and warning of an unfavorable rebirth for those who ignore these practices.