Shloka 37
Puṣkara-Śapatha Itihāsa (Agastya–Indra Dispute at the Tīrthas) | पुष्कर-शपथ-आख्यानम्
गुरूणीति विदित्वाथ न ग्राह्माण्यत्रिरब्रवीत् न स्महे मन्दविज्ञाना न स्महे मन्दबुद्धयः
bhīṣma uvāca | gurūṇīti viditvātha na grāhyāṇy atrir abravīt | na smahe mandavijñānā na smahe mandabuddhayaḥ |
毗湿摩说：既已明了对长者与师长应守的正当礼法，圣者阿特里便宣告：“此物不可受。我们并非识见迟钝，也并非心智昏钝。”他察觉那些果实变得异常沉重，洞悉赠礼背后的隐秘用心，遂加以拒绝：纵使外表无害，凡被贪欲或欺诳所染之物，一旦受取，死后必结苦果。因此，欲求今世与来世皆得安乐者，当视此等所得为不应受纳之物。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not accept gifts or gains that are ethically tainted, deceptive, or rooted in greed. Even if the object looks harmless, accepting it can produce bitter karmic results; therefore, what is ‘agrāhya’ (unfit) must be refused for the sake of welfare in both this world and the next.
Bhishma recounts that the sage Atri perceives an improper or dangerous offering—fruits that have become unusually heavy, implying hidden gold and a corrupt intent. Atri states that he and his companions are not dull-minded; they understand the situation and therefore refuse to accept the fruits, warning of harmful consequences if such a gift is taken.