Shloka 5
Garuḍa’s Assault on the Devas and the Fire-Barrier (अमृत-रक्षा-युद्धम्)
एवमादिस्वरूपैस्तु सतां वै ब्राह्मणो मत: । स ते तात न हन्तव्य: संक्रुद्धेनापि सर्वथा,इन्हीं रूपोंमें सत्पुरुषोंके लिये ब्राह्मण आदरणीय माना गया है। तात! तुम्हें क्रोध आ जाय तो भी ब्राह्मणकी हत्यासे सर्वथा दूर रहना चाहिये
evam-ādi-svarūpaiḥ tu satāṃ vai brāhmaṇo mataḥ | sa te tāta na hantavyaḥ saṃkruddhenāpi sarvathā ||
Thus, by such qualities and forms of conduct, a brāhmaṇa is regarded by the virtuous as worthy of honor. Therefore, dear child, you must never kill a brāhmaṇa—under any circumstances, not even when inflamed with anger.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse lays down a dharmic prohibition: a brāhmaṇa, recognized by the virtuous as worthy of reverence due to his defining qualities, must not be killed under any circumstance—even in a moment of intense anger. It emphasizes restraint and the gravity of violence against a protected class/person.
An elder authority figure (Pitāmaha) is instructing a younger listener, warning him that even if provoked to rage, he must not commit the act of killing a brāhmaṇa. The speech functions as moral counsel within the unfolding story.