Shloka 9
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
स यज्ञकार: कौन्तेय पित्रोत्सृष्ट: परंतप । प्रायाद् गर्दभयुक्तेन रथेनाप्याशुगामिना
sa yajñakāraḥ kaunteya pitrotsṛṣṭaḥ parantapa | prāyād gardabhayuktena rathenāpy āśugāminā ||
हे कुन्तीकुमार, शत्रुतापी! यज्ञ करानेवाला वह मतंग एक दिन पिता के भेजने पर, गधों से जुते हुए शीघ्रगामी रथ पर बैठकर यजमान के यज्ञ में पुरोहिती करने चला।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma through disciplined duty: an officiant proceeds to a sacrifice when commissioned by his father, emphasizing obedience to elders and commitment to ritual responsibility.
Bhishma begins an illustrative episode: Matanga, a sacrificial priest, is sent by his father to conduct a patron’s yajña and travels quickly in a donkey-yoked chariot to reach the rite.