Shloka 49
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच स्नातकान ब्राह्मणान् राजन् विद्धयस्मांस्त्वं नराधिप । स्नातकव्रतिनो राजन ब्राह्मुणा: क्षत्रिया विश:,श्रीकृष्णने कहा--राजन्! तुम हमें (वेषके अनुसार) स्नातक ब्राह्मण समझ सकते हो। वैसे तो स्नातक व्रतका पालन करनेवाले ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्य तीनों वर्णोके लोग होते हैं
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca
snātakān brāhmaṇān rājan viddhy asmāṁs tvaṁ narādhipa |
snātakavratino rājan brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā viśaḥ ||
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: “O King, lord of men, you may regard us as snātaka brāhmaṇas by our outward marks and discipline. Yet, O King, those who observe the snātaka vow are found among all three twice-born orders—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kṛṣṇa distinguishes between outward identification and the broader reality of dharmic discipline: the snātaka vow is not exclusive to brāhmaṇas; it can be observed by brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas. Ethical status is tied to conduct and vows, not merely to appearance or assumption.
Kṛṣṇa addresses a king and clarifies how the group may be perceived (as snātaka brāhmaṇas by dress/marks), while correcting any narrow inference by stating that snātaka observance occurs across the three twice-born varṇas.