“I will never ever sell my eldest son” indicates that the sage Ṛcīka would not sell his eldest son even for an exorbitant amount. By not forbidding his two other sons for sale, he approved of them being for sale. This is understood by implication in accordance with the maxim, apratiṣiddham anumataṁ bhavati: “That which is not forbidden is allowed.” Even though giving away one’s sons in charity or selling them is forbidden in śāstra, in times of financial crisis, sale of a son for a Vedic sacrifice, like giving a son in charity for the sake of dharma, is not a defect.