Shloka 27
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
भीष्म उवाच एतत् श्र॒ुत्वा तु वचनं तमुवाच पुरंदर: । मतड़ दुर्लभमिदं विप्रत्वं प्रार्थ्थते त्वया
bhīṣma uvāca | etat śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tam uvāca purandaraḥ | mataṅga durlabham idaṃ vipratvaṃ prārthayase tvayā ||
Bhishma sprach: Als Purandara (Indra) diese Worte vernommen hatte, erwiderte er ihm: „O Mataṅga, der Stand des Brahmanentums, um den du bittest, ist für dich schwer zu erlangen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that exalted social-spiritual status (here, vipratva—Brahminhood) is not merely a matter of desire or request; it is portrayed as rare and difficult to attain, implying the need for qualifying conduct, merit, and discipline aligned with dharma.
Bhishma narrates a dialogue: after hearing Mataṅga’s words, Indra (Purandara) responds directly, telling Mataṅga that the Brahmin status he seeks is difficult for him to obtain, setting up the ethical discussion about qualification and dharmic attainment.