Shloka 3
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
त्वया मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ तन्मे शंस यथागमम् | किमेतत् क्रियते कर्म फलं वास्य किमिष्यते
tvayā matimatāṃ śreṣṭha tan me śaṃsa yathāgamam | kim etat kriyate karma phalaṃ vāsyā kim iṣyate ||
“बुद्धिमानों में श्रेष्ठ! आगम के अनुसार मुझे बताइए—यह कौन-सा कर्म किया जा रहा है, और इससे कौन-सा फल अभिप्रेत है?”
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry: any ritual action (karma) should be understood through śāstric/traditional authority (āgama) and evaluated by its intended fruit (phala). It emphasizes clarity of purpose and legitimacy of practice.
A question is posed to a learned person described as foremost among the wise, asking—according to tradition—what rite is being performed and what result is sought from it. Vaiśaṃpāyana introduces or reports this inquiry.