Shloka 1
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
/ (दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका १ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल १०७ श्लोक हैं) अपना छा अर: 2 सप्तविशो<्ध्याय: ब्राह्मणत्वके लिये तपस्या करनेवाले मतड़की इन्द्रसे बातचीत युधिछिर उवाच प्रज्ञाश्रुताभ्यां वृत्तेन शीलेन च यथा भवान् | गुणैश्व विविधै: सर्वर्वयसा च समन्वित:,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ नरेश्वर! आप बुद्धि, विद्या, सदाचार, शील और विभिन्न प्रकारके सम्पूर्ण सदगुणोंसे सम्पन्न हैं। आपकी अवस्था भी सबसे बड़ी है। आप बुद्धि, प्रश्ञा और तपस्यासे विशिष्ट हैं; अत: मैं आपसे धर्मकी बात पूछता हूँ। संसारमें आपके सिवा दूसरा कोई ऐसा नहीं है जिससे सब प्रकारके प्रश्न पूछे जा सकें
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | prajñāśrutābhyāṁ vṛttena śīlena ca yathā bhavān | guṇaiś ca vividhaiḥ sarvair vayasa ca samanvitaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O king among men, foremost among the righteous—just as you are endowed with discernment and learning, with upright conduct and good character, and furnished with every kind of virtue, so too you are advanced in age. Because you are distinguished by wisdom, insight, and austerity, I ask you about dharma. In this world, besides you there is no other from whom one may inquire into every kind of question.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma-inquiry as grounded in the authority of lived virtue: true guidance is sought from one who unites wisdom (prajñā), learning (śruta), ethical conduct (vṛtta), good character (śīla), and mature experience (vayas).
Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully addresses an elder, praising his virtues and seniority, and declares his intention to ask comprehensive questions about dharma, presenting the addressee as uniquely qualified to answer.