Shloka 7
Garuḍa’s Assault on the Devas and the Fire-Barrier (अमृत-रक्षा-युद्धम्)
यथा कुयदिभिक्रुद्धो ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत: । तदेतैरविविषधैरलिज्लिस्त्व॑ं विद्यास्तं द्विजोत्तमम्
yathā kuyadibhik kruddho brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ | tad etair aviviṣadhair alijlīs tvaṁ vidyās taṁ dvijottamam ||
Pitāmaha said: “Just as a Brahmin of firm, disciplined vows becomes enraged by vile and improper acts, so too—by these harmless (inoffensive) means—you should recognize that excellent Brahmin.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment: a truly disciplined Brahmin (saṁśitavrata) is identified not merely by status but by recognizable qualities—especially how strong moral discipline coexists with righteous indignation when confronted with improper conduct, and how one should recognize such excellence through non-harmful, appropriate means.
Pitāmaha is instructing the listener on how to identify or recognize an exemplary Brahmin. He uses a comparison: just as a vow-observant Brahmin becomes angry at base or improper behavior, similarly one should, by harmless indicators or methods, understand who that foremost ‘twice-born’ person is.