Shloka 26
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्ााभारत अनुशासनपर्वके अन्तर्गत दानधर्मपर्वमें गंगाजीके माहात्म्यका वर्णनविषयक छब्बीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Mataṅga uvāca—brāhmaṇyaṁ kāmayāno ’ham idam ārabdhavāṁs tapaḥ | gaccheyaṁ tad avāpyeha vara eṣa vṛto mayā ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Mataṅga dit : «Désirant le statut de brāhmaṇa, j’ai entrepris cette austérité. Ce n’est qu’après l’avoir obtenu ici que je quitterai ce lieu ; tel est l’unique don que j’ai choisi.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast resolve in dharmic self-transformation: Mataṅga chooses a single, ethically charged goal—attaining brāhmaṇya—and commits to disciplined tapas until that aim is realized, emphasizing perseverance and purposeful austerity.
Within Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Mataṅga speaks directly, declaring that he has undertaken austerities with the specific intention of attaining brāhmaṇa status, and that he will not leave until he has obtained that boon.