Shloka 11
तापती–संवरणोपाख्यानम्
The Tapatī–Saṃvaraṇa Episode: Meaning of “Tāpatya”
ब्राह्मणा: कस्य वक्तव्या: कस्य वाच्छन्दचारिण: । गुणैरेते हि वत्स्यन्ति कामगा: पक्षिणो यथा,ब्राह्यगोंको कौन आदेश दे सकता है अथवा वे किसके अधीन रह सकते हैं। ये तो इच्छानुसार विचरनेवाले पक्षियोंकी भाँति देश या राजाके गुण देखकर ही कहीं भी निवास करते हैं
brāhmaṇāḥ kasya vaktavyāḥ kasya vā cchandacāriṇaḥ | guṇair ete hi vatsyanti kāmagāḥ pakṣiṇo yathā ||
Los brāhmaṇas—¿quién podría darles órdenes, y bajo el dominio de quién podrían estar en verdad? Como aves que vuelan a su antojo, eligen morada tras discernir las cualidades de una tierra o de un rey, y se establecen allí donde hallan virtud y buena conducta.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brāhmaṇas are not meant to be coerced by mere authority; they align themselves with places and rulers of good qualities. Their loyalty is to dharma and virtue, so they choose where to live based on the moral character and conduct they observe.
A brāhmaṇa speaker asserts the autonomy of brāhmaṇas, explaining that they are free-moving and will reside wherever they perceive worthy qualities—comparing their movement to birds that settle wherever conditions are favorable.