Shloka 20
Atithi’s Direction to the Nāga-sage Padma at Naimiṣa (अतिथ्युपदेशः—नैमिषे पद्मनागोपाख्यानप्रस्तावः)
वेदपुराणेतिहासप्रामाण्यान्नारायणमुखोद्गता: सर्वात्मान: सर्वकर्तार: सर्वभावाश्न ब्राह्मणाश्व,वेद, पुराण और इतिहासके प्रमाणसे यह सिद्ध है कि ब्राह्मणोंकी उत्पत्ति भगवान् नारायणके मुखसे हुई है; अतः वे ब्राह्मण सर्वात्मा, सर्वकर्ता और सर्वभावस्वरूप हैं
arjuna uvāca | vedapurāṇetihāsaprāmāṇyān nārāyaṇamukhodgatāḥ sarvātmānaḥ sarvakartāraḥ sarvabhāvasvarūpā brāhmaṇāḥ ||
Arjuna said: On the authority of the Vedas, the Purāṇas, and the Itihāsas, it is established that the Brāhmaṇas have arisen from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa. Therefore they are to be regarded as embodying the universal Self, as agents of sacred action, and as representing the full range of auspicious qualities—worthy of reverence and ethical restraint in conduct toward them.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse grounds the special reverence due to Brāhmaṇas in scriptural authority (Veda–Purāṇa–Itihāsa), presenting them as arising from Nārāyaṇa’s mouth—symbolizing their role as bearers of sacred speech, learning, and ritual—and thus as ethically protected and honored within dharma.
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, Arjuna speaks to affirm a dharma-based view of Brāhmaṇas, citing recognized scriptural sources to justify their exalted status and the moral obligations others have toward them.