Shloka 9
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
स यज्ञकार: कौन्तेय पित्रोत्सृष्ट: परंतप । प्रायाद् गर्दभयुक्तेन रथेनाप्याशुगामिना
sa yajñakāraḥ kaunteya pitrotsṛṣṭaḥ parantapa | prāyād gardabhayuktena rathenāpy āśugāminā ||
قال بهيشما: «يا ابن كونتي، يا مُحْرِقَ الأعداء—إن ماتانغا، وكان كاهنًا يُقيم القرابين، خرج مرةً بأمر أبيه ليُشرف على يَجْنَا (yajña) لأحد الرعاة. انطلق جالسًا في عربةٍ سريعةٍ موثوقةٍ بحمير، قاصدًا الطقس الذي كُلِّف به.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma through disciplined duty: an officiant proceeds to a sacrifice when commissioned by his father, emphasizing obedience to elders and commitment to ritual responsibility.
Bhishma begins an illustrative episode: Matanga, a sacrificial priest, is sent by his father to conduct a patron’s yajña and travels quickly in a donkey-yoked chariot to reach the rite.