Shloka 19
जनक उवाच विशेषधर्मान् वर्णानां प्रब्रूहि भगवन् मम । ततः सामान्यधर्मश्चि सर्वत्र कुशलो हासि,जनकने पूछा--भगवन्! आप मुझे सब वर्णोके विशेष धर्म बताइये, फिर सामान्य धर्मोंका भी वर्णन कीजिये; क्योंकि आप सब विषयोंका प्रतिपादन करनेमें कुशल हैं
janaka uvāca viśeṣa-dharmān varṇānāṁ prabrūhi bhagavan mama | tataḥ sāmānya-dharmaś ca sarvatra kuśalo hy asi ||
Janaka said: “O Blessed one, please explain to me the particular duties of the social orders. Then also describe the duties that are common to all; for you are indeed skilled in setting forth what is wholesome in every sphere.”
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a twofold inquiry into dharma: (1) viśeṣa-dharma—duties that differ by social role (varṇa), and (2) sāmānya-dharma—universal ethical duties binding on everyone. It highlights that a complete account of righteousness must address both role-based obligations and common moral principles.
King Janaka, in a dialogic setting within the Śānti Parva’s teachings on peace and righteousness, respectfully asks a revered teacher (addressed as ‘bhagavan’) to expound first the specific duties of the varṇas and then the general duties shared by all, acknowledging the teacher’s competence in ethical instruction.