FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.18.34

ब्राह्मणै: क्षत्रबन्धुर्हि गृहपालो निरूपित: । स कथं तद्गृहे द्वा:स्थ: सभाण्डं भोक्तुमर्हति ॥ ३४ ॥
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatra-bandhur hi
[braahmanaih kshatra-bandhur hi]
gṛha-pālo nirūpitaḥ
[griha-paalo niroopitah]
sa kathaṁ tad-gṛhe dvāḥ-sthaḥ
[sa katham tad-grihe dvaah-sthah]
sabhāṇḍaṁ bhoktum arhati
[sabhaandam bhoktum arhati]
brāhmaṇaiḥ — by the brahminical order kṣatra-bandhuḥ — the sons of the kṣatriyas hi — certainly gṛha-pālaḥ — the watchdog nirūpitaḥ — designated saḥ — he katham — on what grounds tat-gṛhe — in the home of him (the master) dvāḥ-sthaḥ — keeping at the door sa-bhāṇḍam — in the same pot bhoktum — to eat arhati — deserves.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatra-bandhur hi
brāhmaṇaiḥ
by the brahminical order
kṣatra-bandhuḥ
the sons of the kṣatriyas
hi
certainly
gṛha-pālo nirūpitaḥ
gṛha-pālaḥ
the watchdog
nirūpitaḥ
designated
sa kathaṁ tad-gṛhe dvāḥ-sthaḥ
saḥ
he
katham
on what grounds
tat-gṛhe
in the home of him (the master)
dvāḥ-sthaḥ
keeping at the door
sabhāṇḍaṁ bhoktum arhati
sa-bhāṇḍam
in the same pot
bhoktum
to eat
arhati
deserves.
The descendants of the kingly orders are definitely designated as watchdogs, and they must keep themselves at the door. On what grounds can dogs enter the house and claim to dine with the master on the same plate?

The inexperienced brāhmaṇa boy certainly knew that the King asked for water from his father and the father did not respond. He tried to explain away his father’s inhospitality in an impertinent manner befitting an uncultured boy. He was not at all sorry for the King’s not being well received. On the contrary, he justified the wrong act in a way characteristic of the brāhmaṇas of Kali-yuga. He compared the King to a watchdog, and so it was wrong for the King to enter the home of a brāhmaṇa and ask for water from the same pot. The dog is certainly reared by its master, but that does not mean that the dog shall claim to dine and drink from the same pot. This mentality of false prestige is the cause of downfall of the perfect social order, and we can see that in the beginning it was started by the inexperienced son of a brāhmaṇa. As the dog is never allowed to enter within the room and hearth, although it is reared by the master, similarly, according to Śṛṅgi, the King had no right to enter the house of Śamīka Ṛṣi. According to the boy’s opinion, the King was on the wrong side and not his father, and thus he justified his silent father.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The fallen kṣatriya is designated as a door-keeper by the brāhmaṇas. How can he, guarding the door, enter the house and eat the food in the pots?
Commentary

The protector of the house enters the house and eats items such as ghee which are in pots (sabhāṇḍam). How is it proper for the king to boldly enter the hermitage of the sages and ask for water?

The kingly orders are watchdogs and must stay at the door. On what grounds can dogs enter the house and claim to dine with the master? Strong metaphors carry strong claims. Watch your metaphors.
Reflection Questions
  • What metaphor have I used that overstated my case?
  • Where could moderate description have done the work?
📝 My note

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