Shloka 6

Adhyāya 352: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Saṃvāda — Uñchavrata-niścaya

Dialogue and the Resolve to Practice Uñchavrata

Devanagari script

उत्सगेणापवादेन ऋषिभि: कपिलादिभि: | अध्यात्मचिन्तामाश्रित्य शास्त्राण्युक्तानि भारत,भारत! कपिल आदि ऋषियोंने सामान्य और विशेषरूपमें अध्यात्म-तत्त्वका चिन्तन करके विभिन्न शास्त्रोंका प्रतिपादन किया है

Transliteration

utsargeṇāpavādena ṛṣibhiḥ kapilādibhiḥ | adhyātma-cintām āśritya śāstrāṇy uktāni bhārata ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: O Bhārata, relying on contemplation of the inner Self, sages such as Kapila have set forth the various śāstras—some as general teachings and others as specific exceptions—so that dharma may be understood with discernment rather than by rigid rule alone.

Word by Word

उत्सर्गेणby general rule / by general statement

अपवादेनby exception / by special rule

ऋषिभिःby sages

कपिलादिभिःby Kapila and others

अध्यात्मचिन्ताम्reflection on the inner self / spiritual contemplation

आश्रित्यhaving resorted to / relying on

शास्त्राणिtreatises / scriptures

उक्तानिwere spoken / were propounded

भारतO Bharata

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Bhārata (addressee)

Kapila

Ṛ

Ṛṣis (sages)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

That śāstric instruction is framed through both general principles (utsarga) and qualifying exceptions (apavāda), grounded in adhyātma—inner reflection on the Self—so dharma is applied wisely and contextually.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana explains to the Bhārata listener that ancient sages, beginning with Kapila, composed diverse doctrinal systems and scriptures by reflecting on spiritual truth, presenting teachings in both broad rules and specific qualifications.