Shloka 22
आरण्यकपर्वणि अध्यायः २१६ — इन्द्र-स्कन्द-संमुखता वज्रप्रहारश्च
Indra approaches Skanda; vajra strike and the arising of Viśākha
अहं हि ब्राह्मण: पूर्वमासं द्विजवरात्मज: । वेदाध्यायी सुकुशलो वेदाज़्ानां च पारग:
ahaṁ hi brāhmaṇaḥ pūrvam āsaṁ dvijavarātmajaḥ | vedādhyāyī sukuśalo vedajñānāṁ ca pāragaḥ ||
狩人は言った。「かつて私はまことに婆羅門であり、すぐれた二度生まれの子であった。吠陀を勤めて学び、技量に富み、吠陀の知の彼岸にまで到っていた。」
व्याध उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that social identity and past learning do not by themselves guarantee righteousness; a person’s life can change dramatically, and true worth is measured by conduct and adherence to dharma rather than mere birth or scholarship.
The hunter begins an autobiographical account, explaining that he was once a well-trained brāhmaṇa and Vedic scholar. This sets up the moral contrast and prepares the listener for how he came to his present condition and what ethical insight he has gained.