Shloka 13
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
एवमुक्त: स राजा तु पुन: पप्रच्छ तान् द्विजान् | क्व तौ वीरौ क्वजन्मानौ किंकर्माणीौ च कौ च तौ
evam uktaḥ sa rājā tu punaḥ papraccha tān dvijān | kva tau vīrau kva janmānau kiṃkarmāṇī ca kau ca tau ||
এভাবে বলা হলে সেই রাজা আবার সেই ব্রাহ্মণদের জিজ্ঞেস করল—“সেই দুই বীর এখন কোথায়? তাদের জন্ম কোথায়? তাদের কর্ম কী, আর তারা কারা—নামই বা কী?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should seek precise information—origin, conduct, and identity—before making decisions about influential persons; careful inquiry supports dharmic governance.
After hearing the Brahmins’ statement, the king follows up with detailed questions about two notable heroes: their whereabouts, birthplace, deeds/roles, and names.