Shloka 44
Kapālamocana-tīrtha (Auśanasa) and Balarāma’s Sarasvatī Pilgrimage
भो भो ब्राह्मण धर्मज्ञ किमर्थ नृत्यते भवान् | हर्षस्थानं किमर्थ च तवेदमधिकं मुने
bho bho brāhmaṇa dharmajña kimarthaṁ nṛtyate bhavān | harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ ca tavedaṁ adhikaṁ mune ||
“ಓ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ, ಧರ್ಮಜ್ಞ! ನೀನು ಯಾವ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ನೃತ್ಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವೆ? ಮತ್ತು ಓ ಮುನಿಯೇ, ನಿನ್ನ ಈ ಅತಿಯಾದ ಹರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವೇನು?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical scrutiny of outward behavior: even a learned person’s visible joy (such as dancing) invites inquiry into its cause. In a dharma-centered narrative—especially amid grave events—excessive celebration is morally significant and must be justified by a righteous reason.
Vaiśampāyana reports a speaker addressing a Brahmin-sage, questioning why he is dancing and what occasion has produced such heightened happiness. The line functions as a prompt that introduces an explanation for the sage’s unusual rejoicing.