Shloka 16
Vītahavya’s Attainment of Brāhmaṇya (Vītahavya–Vipratva) | वीतहव्यस्य ब्राह्मण्यप्राप्तिः
मतज़ सम्प्रधार्यवं यदहं त्वामचूचुदम् । वृणीष्व कामम-्यं त्वं ब्राह्मुण्यं हि सुदुर्लभम्,“मतंग! यही सोचकर मैंने तुमसे कहा था कि तुम कोई दूसरी अभीष्ट वस्तु माँग लो; क्योंकि ब्राह्मणत्व अत्यन्त दुर्लभ है”
Mataṅga, sampradhāryaivaṃ yad ahaṃ tvām acūcudam | vṛṇīṣva kāmam anyaṃ tvaṃ brāhmaṇyaṃ hi sudurlabham ||
Bhīṣma said: “O Mataṅga, after reflecting in this way, I told you: ‘Choose some other boon you desire; for true Brahminhood is indeed exceedingly difficult to obtain.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses that certain ethical-spiritual statuses (here, ‘brāhmaṇya’) are not mere gifts to be claimed at will; they are portrayed as rare and difficult, implying they depend on deep qualification—conduct, discipline, and merit—rather than simple desire.
Bhīṣma recounts advising Mataṅga to ask for a different boon, because attaining Brahminhood is described as extremely difficult. The moment frames a counsel about choosing attainable aims and recognizing the demanding nature of true spiritual-ethical identity.