Shloka 67
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
जनमेजय उवाच एवं बहुविध॑ धर्म प्रतिबुद्धैर्निषिवितम् । न कुर्वन्ति कथं विप्रा अन्ये नानाव्रते स्थिता:
Janamejaya uvāca: evaṁ bahuvidhaṁ dharmaṁ pratibuddhair niṣevitam | na kurvanti kathaṁ viprā anye nānāvrate sthitāḥ ||
জনমেজয়ে ক’লে—মুনে! বহুপ্ৰকাৰ গুণে সমৃদ্ধ এই ধৰ্ম জাগ্ৰত আৰু বিবেকীজনে আচৰণ কৰে; তেন্তে নানাব্ৰতত নিয়োজিত আন ব্ৰাহ্মণসকলে ইয়াক কিয় আচৰণ নকৰে?
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between outward religiosity (many vows and observances) and inward ethical realization (dharma practiced by the truly awakened). It implies that genuine dharma is not guaranteed by ritual discipline alone; it requires understanding and lived integrity.
Janamejaya, in dialogue with a sage, reflects on a dharma described as noble and practiced by enlightened people. He asks why other brāhmaṇas—despite undertaking many different vows—do not adopt that same dharma in their conduct.