Shloka 56

Nāgendra–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda: Praśna-vidhi and Dharmic Approach on the Gomatī Riverbank

Devanagari script

ततस्तावसुरौ कृत्वा वेदान्‌ू समयबन्धनान्‌

Transliteration

tatastāv asurau kṛtvā vedān samayabandhanān

Translation

Then those two Asuras, having established the Vedas as binding covenants, set them forth as the terms of agreement—treating sacred knowledge not merely as recitation, but as a moral contract that restrains conduct and obliges fidelity to pledged order.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

तौthose two

असुरौthe two Asuras

कृत्वाhaving made/done

वेदान्the Vedas

समयबन्धनान्bound by agreement/compact; (as) covenant-bound (ones)

Speaker

वैशग्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Asuras

Vedas

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames the Vedas as more than scripture: they function as binding norms—an ethical contract (samaya-bandhana) that restrains behavior and anchors duty in agreed sacred authority.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaishampayana describes a moment where two Asuras institute or adopt the Vedas as the binding terms of an agreement, implying a formalization of rules and obligations under Vedic authority.