Shloka 32
एष राजन्नीदृशो वै उतथ्यो ब्राह्मणर्षभ: । ब्रवीम्यहं ब्रूहि वा त्वमुतथ्यात् क्षत्रियं वरम्
eṣa rājann īdṛśo vai utathyo brāhmaṇarṣabhaḥ | bravīmy ahaṃ brūhi vā tvam utathyāt kṣatriyaṃ varam ||
Arjuna sprach: „O König, so ist Utathya, der Vortrefflichste unter den Brahmanen, von solcher außergewöhnlichen Macht und Größe. Das sage ich unverblümt. Wenn du einen Kshatriya kennst, der Utathya überlegen ist, dann nenne mir, wer dieser beste der Kshatriyas ist.“
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and humility in assessing greatness: spiritual authority and ethical stature (embodied by a foremost Brahmin-sage) are not to be dismissed, and claims of superiority should be supported by clear knowledge rather than pride or mere social rank.
Arjuna addresses a king and asserts Utathya’s exceptional eminence among Brahmins. He challenges the king: if the king believes there exists a Kshatriya greater than Utathya, he should name that person—framing a pointed inquiry about comparative excellence and authority.