Shloka 2
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
कौतूहलं मे सुमहज्जामदग्न्यं प्रति प्रभो । राम॑ धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ तन््मे व्याख्यातुमहसि
kautūhalaṁ me sumahaj jāmadagnyaṁ prati prabho | rāma dharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭha tan me vyākhyātum arhasi prabho ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O lord, a very great curiosity has arisen in me regarding Jāmadagnya Rāma (Paraśurāma). O Rāma, best among the upholders of dharma—please explain it to me clearly, O lord.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: when moral or historical complexity arises, one should approach a recognized authority with humility and request a clear exposition, treating dharma as something to be understood through careful explanation rather than assumption.
Yudhiṣṭhira expresses heightened curiosity about Paraśurāma—renowned as Jāmadagnya Rāma—and respectfully asks him (or the addressed authority) to explain the matter in detail, setting up a forthcoming discourse about Paraśurāma’s conduct and dharmic standing.