Shloka 51
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
तैश्नोक्तो यज्ञियान् देशान् धर्मारण्यं तथैव च । जुगुप्समानो धावन् स तं यज्ञं समुपासदत्
taiś cokto yajñiyān deśān dharmāraṇyaṃ tathaiva ca | jugupsamāno dhāvan sa taṃ yajñaṃ samupāsadat ||
Ayant appris les lieux du sacrifice et, de même, Dharmāraṇya, la mangouste—poussée par le mépris et résolue à blâmer le rite de Dharmarāja—courut avec hâte et parvint à ce sacrifice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical critique: mere grandeur of ritual does not guarantee moral superiority; intention and true righteousness can be questioned, and even a celebrated sacrifice may be subjected to scrutiny.
A mongoose, having learned the locations connected with the sacrifice and the place called Dharmāraṇya, runs to Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrificial arena with a disparaging purpose, intending to denounce or undermine the rite.