Shloka 5
युधिष्ठिरप्रश्नः—विश्वामित्रस्य ब्राह्मणत्वकौतूहलम् | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry on Viśvāmitra’s Attainment of Brāhmaṇya
महान् कुशिकवंशकश्र ब्रह्मर्षिशतसंकुल: । स्थापितो नरलोके<स्मिन् विद्वद्ब्राह्मणसंस्तुत:
mahān kuśikavaṁśakaś ca brahmarṣiśatasaṅkulaḥ | sthāpito naraloke 'smin vidvadbrāhmaṇasaṁstutaḥ ||
He is a great one, descended from the Kuśika line, and surrounded by hundreds of brahmarṣis. Established here in the world of men, he is praised by learned brāhmaṇas.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of recognized spiritual and intellectual authority: greatness is validated by noble lineage, association with realized sages (brahmarṣis), and the praise of learned brāhmaṇas—markers of dharmic credibility in the epic’s worldview.
Yudhiṣṭhira describes an eminent figure as firmly established in the human realm, distinguished by descent from the Kuśika line and by being surrounded by many brahmarṣis, and honored by learned brāhmaṇas—setting up the person’s stature and trustworthiness for the discussion that follows.