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 said: “O King, such indeed is Utathya, the foremost among Brahmins, possessed of this extraordinary power and stature. I state this plainly. If you know of any Kshatriya superior to Utathya, then tell me who that best of Kshatriyas is.”
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.