Shloka 3
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
त्वया मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ तन्मे शंस यथागमम् | किमेतत् क्रियते कर्म फलं वास्य किमिष्यते
tvayā matimatāṃ śreṣṭha tan me śaṃsa yathāgamam | kim etat kriyate karma phalaṃ vāsyā kim iṣyate ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O best among the wise, tell me this in accordance with the sacred tradition. What is this rite that is being performed, and what fruit is desired from it?”
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry: any ritual action (karma) should be understood through śāstric/traditional authority (āgama) and evaluated by its intended fruit (phala). It emphasizes clarity of purpose and legitimacy of practice.
A question is posed to a learned person described as foremost among the wise, asking—according to tradition—what rite is being performed and what result is sought from it. Vaiśaṃpāyana introduces or reports this inquiry.