Shloka 2
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
ततस्तं वचन प्राह ज्येष्ठो धर्मात्मज: प्रभु: । क इज्यते द्विजश्रेष्ठ दैवे पित्रये च कल्पिते
tatas taṁ vacanaṁ prāha jyeṣṭho dharmātmajaḥ prabhuḥ | ka ijyate dvijaśreṣṭha daive pitrye ca kalpite ||
そのとき、法（ダルマ）の長子にして主たるユディシュティラは彼に告げた。「二度生まれの最勝者よ。神々のため、また祖霊（ピトリ）のために定められた儀礼が正しく行われるとき、真にその行為によって礼拝されるのは誰なのか。シャーストラに従って私に説き明かせ。汝はいかなる儀礼を行い、そこにいかなる果を求めるのか。」
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry: ritual acts for gods and ancestors are not merely mechanical; one must understand, as śāstra teaches, who is truly honored through them and what intended fruit (phala) is sought. It emphasizes informed, ethically grounded performance of duty.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a learned Brahmin (or teacher-figure) and asks a precise doctrinal question about daiva and pitṛ rites—who receives worship through them, what rite is being performed, and what result is aimed at.