Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
तदा बुद्धि: कृता पापे हरिष्यामि श्वजाघनीम् । “मैं जानता हूँ कि यह अधर्म है तो भी यह कुत्तेकी जाँघ ले जाऊँगा। मैं तुमलोगोंके घरोंपर घूम-घूमकर माँगनेपर भी जब भीख नहीं पा सका हूँ
tadā buddhiḥ kṛtā pāpe hariṣyāmi śvajāghanīm |
于是他决意行一桩罪业,说道:“我将取走那狗腿。”他明知此举不合于法(dharma),却因饥饿逼迫,又挨家乞求屡屡不得,遂起此恶念;因此他下定决心,要把狗腿带走。
घपच उवाच
Even when one clearly recognizes an act as adharma, extreme distress (such as hunger and social neglect) can push the mind toward wrongdoing; the verse highlights the inner conflict between moral knowledge and desperate impulse, underscoring the need to guard resolve (buddhi) and seek righteous means even under pressure.
The speaker declares that he has decided to commit a sinful act: he will take the thigh of a dog. He admits he knows it is wrong, but explains that after repeatedly going from house to house without receiving alms, he has formed this intention and is set on carrying it out.