पंथानावपि द्वौ कश्चिद्वेत्ति वक्ति च ब्राह्मणः । इति मे द्वादश प्रश्रान्ये विदुर्ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः
paṃthānāvapi dvau kaścidvetti vakti ca brāhmaṇaḥ | iti me dvādaśa praśrānye vidurbrāhmaṇottamāḥ
Even of the two paths, some Brahmin may know and explain them. These—my twelve questions—are understood by the best of Brahmins.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa), contextual attribution within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration
Scene: A learned seeker addresses or recalls ‘best of Brahmins,’ framing twelve formal questions about two spiritual paths; the mood is contemplative, with palm-leaf manuscripts and a quiet assembly.
It honors realized learning: true understanding is rare and is safeguarded by the wisest teachers.
No tirtha is specified; the verse emphasizes the authority of learned Brahmins.
None; the focus is on knowledge and its qualified transmitters.