Shloka 54
जातिं देशं च सत्यं च माहात्म्यं भरतर्षभ | धर्म वृत्ति च विज्ञाय क्षत्रियाणां नराधिप
jātiṃ deśaṃ ca satyaṃ ca māhātmyaṃ bharatarṣabha | dharmavṛttiṃ ca vijñāya kṣatriyāṇāṃ narādhipa rājan bharataśreṣṭha ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— हे भरतश्रेष्ठ राजन्! महाभारत-कथा के आरम्भ हो जाने पर, प्रत्येक पर्व में क्षत्रियों की जाति, देश, सत्यता, माहात्म्य तथा धर्म और आचार-वृत्ति को भली-भाँति जानकर ब्राह्मणों को जो-जो अर्पण करना चाहिए, अब उसका वर्णन करता हूँ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical narration as grounded in dharma: understanding a ruler’s lineage, land, truthfulness, and greatness, along with kṣatriya norms, guides proper conduct—here expressed as appropriate, parvan-specific offerings to brāhmaṇas.
Vaiśampāyana addresses the king and announces a forthcoming description: once the Mahābhārata story is underway, he will explain, for each parvan, what gifts should be offered to brāhmaṇas, based on the recognized qualities and dharma-conduct of kṣatriyas.