Shloka 106
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजोवाच प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा । जापकस्य दृढीकार: कथमेतद् भविष्यति
rājovāca prasṛtaṃ sumahat kāryam anayor gahvaraṃ yathā | jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
ৰাজাই মনে মনে ক’লে—এই দুয়োৰ সন্মুখত অতি বৃহৎ আৰু গভীৰ, যেন গিৰিখাতৰ দৰে, বিষয় আহি থিয় হৈছে। আৰু জাপক ব্ৰাহ্মণৰ দৃঢ় আগ্ৰহ আগৰ দৰেই অটল। তেন্তে ইয়াৰ নিষ্পত্তি কেনেকৈ হ’ব?
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: when a grave, complex issue arises, steadfast personal vows (here, the jāpaka’s insistence) must be weighed alongside practical governance. It frames ethical decision-making as difficult and deep, requiring careful resolution rather than impulsive action.
The king observes that a major and profound dispute/problem has surfaced involving two parties, and that the japa-practising Brahmin remains unyielding. The king asks how the matter can be settled, setting up the next part of the discussion on how to resolve such a stalemate.