Shloka 7
Ajagara-vrata (The ‘Python’ Discipline): Prahrāda Questions a Wandering Sage
अयं वै जन्मना विप्र: सुहृत् तस्य महात्मन: । सम्प्रेषितश्न॒ तेनायं काश्यपेन ममान्तिकम्
ayaṃ vai janmanā vipraḥ suhṛt tasya mahātmanaḥ | sampreṣitaś ca tenāyaṃ kāśyapena mamāntikam ||
Bhishma dit : « Cet homme n’est brahmane que par la naissance ; pourtant, il est le bienveillant digne de confiance de ce grand être. C’est ce Kāśyapa qui l’a envoyé ici auprès de moi. Aussi accomplirai-je assurément ce qui lui est cher. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts mere birth-status (janmanā vipraḥ) with genuine ethical relationship and trust (suhṛt). It implies that moral obligation and right action arise from loyalty, goodwill, and dharmic responsibility rather than from social label alone.
Bhīṣma identifies a messenger/visitor as a brahmin by birth and notes that he has been dispatched by Kāśyapa. Recognizing Kāśyapa’s goodwill and the relationship involved, Bhīṣma resolves to carry out what is dear to the sender.