Shloka 14
शुनःशेफविक्रयः
The Sale of Śunaḥśepa for the Sacrifice
सर्वे परिसृता देशा याज्ञीयं न लभे पशुम्।।।।दातुमर्हसि मूल्येन सुतमेकमितो मम।4
sarve parisṛtā deśā yājñīyaṃ na labhe paśum | dātum arhasi mūlyena sutam ekam ito mama ||
我走遍诸方国土，却未寻得适合作祭祀牺牲的牲畜；因此，请你收取代价，赐我你众子之中一位儿子。
I have roamed all countries but could not final the sacrificial animal. Should'nt you spare one of your sons for a price"?
FAQs
Dharma involves both ends and means: the king’s stated goal is ritual completion, but the request tests whether desire to finish a rite can justify morally troubling methods.
Ambarīṣa explains his failed search for a sacrificial animal and renews his request for one of Ṛcīka’s sons in exchange for payment.
Persistence in duty, alongside the emerging need for ethical discrimination about what may be asked of others.