Shloka 20
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
सुपर्णो नाम तमृषि: प्राप्तवान् पुरुषोत्तमात् । तपसा वै सुतप्तेन दमेन नियमेन च,सुपर्ण नामक ऋषिने इन्द्रियसंयम और मनोनिग्रह-पूर्वक भलीभाँति तपस्या करके भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमसे इस धर्मको प्राप्त किया
suparṇo nāma tam ṛṣiḥ prāptavān puruṣottamāt | tapasā vai sutaptena damena niyamena ca ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন— সুপর্ণ নামে ঋষি সুদীপ্ত তপস্যা, ইন্দ্রিয়সংযম (দম) ও নিয়মের দ্বারা পুরুষোত্তমের নিকট থেকে সেই ধর্ম লাভ করেছিলেন।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is authentically attained through disciplined spiritual practice—tapas supported by dama (sense-restraint) and niyama (regulated conduct). The verse presents inner mastery as the ethical foundation for receiving higher teaching from the Supreme.
Vaiśampāyana reports an exemplum: the sage Suparṇa received a particular dharma/teaching from Puruṣottama, and the means of attainment is specified—intense austerity together with restraint and observance—thereby validating the teaching’s authority and the required qualifications.