Shloka 22
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
ब्राह्मणत्वं शुभ॑ प्राप्य दुर्लभ॑ यो&वमन्यते । अभोज्यान्नानि चाश्राति स द्विजत्वात् पतेत वै
brāhmaṇatvaṁ śubha prāpya durlabhaṁ yo ’vamanyate | abhojyānnāni cāśnāti sa dvijatvāt pateta vai ||
Ô toi de bon augure ! Celui qui obtient la rare et heureuse condition de la véritable brahmanité, mais la traite avec mépris, et consomme des aliments qu’il ne convient pas de manger, tombe assurément du rang des « deux-fois-nés » (dvija). L’enseignement souligne que le statut spirituel ne se maintient pas par la naissance seule, mais par le respect du dharma et par une pureté disciplinée de la conduite, surtout en matière de nourriture et de retenue.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brahminhood is rare and must be honored through disciplined conduct; contempt for one’s sacred status and the eating of forbidden/impure food leads to a fall from dvija standing.
Maheśvara instructs an addressed listener (‘śubha’) on dharma: he warns that neglecting the dignity and obligations of Brahminhood—especially by violating food-purity rules—causes spiritual and social degradation from the twice-born status.