ब्राह्मण–क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठता-विवादः
Arjuna–Vāyu Dialogue on Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya Precedence
रेणुक उवाच अनुज्ञातो$स्मि देवैश्व पितृभिश्न महाबला: । धर्मगुह्यानि युष्माकं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । कथयध्वं महाभागा यद् वस्तत्त्वं मनीषितम्
Reṇuka uvāca: anujñāto 'smi devaiś ca pitṛbhiś ca mahābalāḥ | dharma-guhyāni yuṣmākaṃ śrotum icchāmi tattvataḥ | kathayadhvaṃ mahābhāgā yad vastattvaṃ manīṣitam ||
レーヌカーは言った。「おお大力の者たちよ——方位を護る象たちよ。私は神々とピトリ(祖霊)より許しを受け、ゆえにここへ参った。そなたらが奉じ守るダルマの秘められた原理を、真実のままに聞きたい。幸いにして大いなる魂を備えた者たちよ、そなたらの智慧がダルマの本質として見定めた要の真理を語ってほしい。」
रेणुक उवाच
The verse frames dharma as having a subtle, ‘hidden’ dimension (guhya) that must be approached through authorized tradition (devas and Pitṛs) and careful inquiry (tattvataḥ). It emphasizes humility and the pursuit of the essential truth (vastattva) rather than mere outward rule-following.
Reṇuka addresses a group of powerful, noble interlocutors and explains that he has come with the sanction of divine and ancestral authorities. He requests that they disclose their deepest understanding of dharma—its inner principles and true essence.