Shloka 17
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
वैशम्पायन उवाच अहो गूढतम: प्रश्नस्त्वया पृष्टो जनेश्वर । नातप्ततपसा होष नावेदविदुषा तथा
vaiśampāyana uvāca: aho gūḍhatamaḥ praśnas tvayā pṛṣṭo janeśvara | nātaptatapasā hoṣa nāvedaviduṣā tathā ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「ああ、人々の主よ、そなたの問いは最も深く秘されたものだ。この事は苦行を経ぬ者には捉えがたく、また吠陀に真に通暁せぬ者にも同様に理解し得ぬ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses that the deepest ethical and spiritual questions (gūḍhatama praśna) require inner discipline (tapas) and authoritative understanding (Vedic learning). Profound dharma is not merely intellectual; it is realized through purification, practice, and right instruction.
In the Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vaiśampāyana responds to a ruler’s inquiry by acknowledging its exceptional depth and indicating that such knowledge is accessible only to those prepared by austerity and true learning—signaling that an elevated teaching is about to follow.