Shloka 1
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
ऑपनआक्राा बछ। अकाल त्रिशो&्थ्याय: वीतहव्यके पुत्रोंसे काशी-नरेशोंका घोर युद्ध
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śrutaṃ me mahad ākhyānam etat kurukulodvaha | suduṣprāpaṃ yad bravīṣi brāhmaṇyaṃ vadatāṃ vara ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「おお、クル族の誉れよ。語り手の中の最上、ピターマハよ。あなたの口からこの偉大な物語を聞き終えました。けれどもあなたが申される—他の身分の者が、この身のままで婆羅門（真のブラーフマナ）の位を得るのはきわめて困難だ—ということは、ほとんど到達しえぬように思われます。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: whether and how 'brāhmaṇya' is attainable, emphasizing that true Brahminhood is not merely a birth-label but a rare, demanding attainment tied to qualities and conduct—hence described as 'suduṣprāpa' (exceedingly difficult).
After hearing a major illustrative story, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma and reflects on Bhīṣma’s claim that for those of other varṇas, attaining Brahminhood in the same lifetime/body is extremely difficult, prompting further explanation about the nature of brāhmaṇya.