Shloka 13
Skanda–Mātṛgaṇa-janma: Kumārakāḥ, Kanyāgaṇāḥ, and the Vīrāṣṭaka (स्कन्द-मातृगण-सम्भवः)
साम्प्रतं च मतो मे5सि ब्राह्मणो नात्र संशय: । ब्राह्मण: पतनीयेषु वर्तमानो विकर्मसु
sāmprataṁ ca mato me ’si brāhmaṇo nātra saṁśayaḥ | brāhmaṇaḥ patanīyeṣu vartamāno vikarmasu ||
Now I am convinced that you are indeed a brāhmaṇa—there is no doubt about it. Yet you are a brāhmaṇa who is engaged in acts that cause a fall from one’s sacred standing, in deeds that are contrary to right conduct.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes identity from conduct: even if one is truly a brāhmaṇa by birth or recognition, engaging in vikarma—prohibited or unrighteous actions—leads to patana (moral and ritual downfall). Dharma is upheld through right action, not merely by status.
A brāhmaṇa speaker addresses someone he now accepts as a genuine brāhmaṇa, but rebukes him for participating in degrading, forbidden deeds. The line functions as a moral censure within the Vana Parva episode, emphasizing accountability to brāhmaṇical standards of conduct.