Shloka 36
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ब्राह्मणा हि सदा रक्ष्या: सापराधापि नित्यदा | अथैनानुपलभ्येह पुनर्योत्स्याम हृष्टवत्
brāhmaṇā hi sadā rakṣyāḥ sāparādhā api nityadā | athainān upalabhyeha punar yotsyāma hṛṣṭavat ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «A los brāhmaṇas hay que protegerlos siempre, aun cuando estén en falta. Por eso, averigüemos primero quiénes son en verdad estas personas; y luego, si así lo desean, volveremos a combatir contra ellos con ánimo dispuesto y sin turbación.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a dharmic priority: Brahmins are to be protected at all times, even if they have committed an offense. Ethical action requires restraint and proper identification before engaging in violence.
A speaker advises that, before resuming combat, they should first determine the true identity/status of the opponents—because if they are Brahmins, the proper course is protection rather than immediate aggression; only afterward, if appropriate and desired, would fighting resume.