Shloka 17
ब्राह्मणा: संश्रिता: क्षत्र न क्षत्रं ब्राह्मणाश्रितम् । ख्रिता ब्रह्मोपधा विप्रा: खादन्ति क्षत्रियान् भुवि
arjuna uvāca | brāhmaṇāḥ saṁśritāḥ kṣatra na kṣatraṁ brāhmaṇāśritam | kṣatriyā brahmopadhā viprāḥ khādanti kṣatriyān bhuvi ||
アルジュナは言った。「おおクシャトリヤよ、バラモンはクシャトリヤの階級に依りて生を立てる。だがクシャトリヤはバラモンの庇護に寄って生きる者ではない。ヴェーダの学習と教授を口実に糧を得るバラモンたちは、この地上では実のところクシャトリヤから来る施しを食して生きているのだ。」
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the practical interdependence between social orders and criticizes those who use sacred learning as a mere pretext for livelihood, implying that ethical integrity—not just status or scholarship—matters in dharma.
Arjuna speaks in a discussion on conduct and social duties, pointing out that Brahmins often rely materially on Kshatriya patronage, while Kshatriyas are not portrayed as similarly dependent—framing a critique of exploitative or hypocritical religious livelihood.