Shloka 10
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
“उस समय सर्वथा निर्भय, उदार एवं विद्वान ब्राह्मणोंने बारंबार आत्मप्रशंसा करनेवाले उन नरेशको मना किया ।।
niṣidhyamāno 'py asakṛt pṛcchaty eva sa vai dvijān | atimānaḥ śriyā mattaṃ tam ūcur brāhmaṇās tadā ||
幾度となく制されても、王はなお婆羅門たちに同じ問いを繰り返し、やめようとしなかった。過ぎた驕りにふくれ、繁栄の酔いに溺れていたのである。かくも執拗に同一の問いを重ねるのを見て、ヴェーダの要諦を直観する大心の苦行婆羅門たちは怒りに燃え、王に向かってこのように語りかけた――自讃と傲慢は真の教示ではなく、ダルマによる矯正を招くのだと示すかのように。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Repeated questioning driven by ego and self-praise is not genuine seeking; prosperity can intoxicate the mind, and dharmic counsel requires humility and restraint. When pride dominates, even wise teachers may respond with stern correction.
A king, despite being repeatedly discouraged, keeps pressing the Brahmins with the same questions. Seeing his arrogance and wealth-intoxication, the Brahmins become angry and prepare to answer him sharply.