Shloka 106
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजोवाच प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा । जापकस्य दृढीकार: कथमेतद् भविष्यति
rājovāca prasṛtaṃ sumahat kāryam anayor gahvaraṃ yathā | jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
ರಾಜನು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಈ ಇಬ್ಬರ ಮುಂದೆ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಮಹತ್ತಾದ ಮತ್ತು ಗಹನವಾದ, ಕಣಿವೆಯಂತೆಯೇ ಗೊಂದಲಕರವಾದ ವಿಷಯ ನಿಂತಿದೆ. ಜಾಪಕ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣನ ದೃಢ ಹಠವೂ ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಉಳಿದಿದೆ. ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಹೇಗೆ?
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: when a grave, complex issue arises, steadfast personal vows (here, the jāpaka’s insistence) must be weighed alongside practical governance. It frames ethical decision-making as difficult and deep, requiring careful resolution rather than impulsive action.
The king observes that a major and profound dispute/problem has surfaced involving two parties, and that the japa-practising Brahmin remains unyielding. The king asks how the matter can be settled, setting up the next part of the discussion on how to resolve such a stalemate.