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,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--भारत! मतंगकी यह बात सुनकर इन्द्रदेवने कहा--“मतंग! तुम जो ब्राह्मणत्व माँग रहे हो, यह तुम्हारे लिये दुर्लभ है” इति श्रीमहाभारते अनुशासनपर्वणि दानधर्मपर्वणि इन्द्रमतड्रसंवादे सप्तविंशोडध्याय:
bhīṣma uvāca | etat śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tam uvāca purandaraḥ | mataṅga durlabham idaṃ vipratvaṃ prārthayase tvayā ||
Bhishma said: Hearing these words, Purandara (Indra) replied to him, “O Mataṅga, the state of Brahminhood that you are asking for is difficult for you to obtain.”
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.