Kapālamocana-tīrtha (Auśanasa) and Balarāma’s Sarasvatī Pilgrimage
भो भो ब्राह्मण धर्मज्ञ किमर्थ नृत्यते भवान् | हर्षस्थानं किमर्थ च तवेदमधिकं मुने
bho bho brāhmaṇa dharmajña kimarthaṁ nṛtyate bhavān | harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ ca tavedaṁ adhikaṁ mune ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Oh brahmán, conocedor del dharma, ¿por qué razón danzas? ¿Y cuál es la causa de esta alegría tuya, oh sabio—por qué es tan desmedido tu regocijo?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights ethical scrutiny of outward behavior: even a learned person’s visible joy (such as dancing) invites inquiry into its cause. In a dharma-centered narrative—especially amid grave events—excessive celebration is morally significant and must be justified by a righteous reason.
Vaiśampāyana reports a speaker addressing a Brahmin-sage, questioning why he is dancing and what occasion has produced such heightened happiness. The line functions as a prompt that introduces an explanation for the sage’s unusual rejoicing.