Shloka 10
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
“उस समय सर्वथा निर्भय, उदार एवं विद्वान ब्राह्मणोंने बारंबार आत्मप्रशंसा करनेवाले उन नरेशको मना किया ।।
niṣidhyamāno 'py asakṛt pṛcchaty eva sa vai dvijān | atimānaḥ śriyā mattaṃ tam ūcur brāhmaṇās tadā ||
Aunque se le contuvo una y otra vez, siguió interrogando a los brahmanes sin cesar. Hinchado de soberbia y embriagado por la prosperidad, el rey no desistía. Al verlo persistir en la misma pregunta, los grandes brahmanes ascetas—firmes en la comprensión del Veda—se encendieron en ira y le hablaron de este modo, dando a entender que la autoalabanza y la arrogancia atraen corrección moral, no consejo verdadero.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Repeated questioning driven by ego and self-praise is not genuine seeking; prosperity can intoxicate the mind, and dharmic counsel requires humility and restraint. When pride dominates, even wise teachers may respond with stern correction.
A king, despite being repeatedly discouraged, keeps pressing the Brahmins with the same questions. Seeing his arrogance and wealth-intoxication, the Brahmins become angry and prepare to answer him sharply.