Shloka 22
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
ऋग्वेदपाठपठितं व्रतमेतद्धि दुश्चरम् । सुपर्णाच्चाप्यधिगतो धर्म एब सनातन:
ṛgvedapāṭhapaṭhitaṁ vratam etad dhi duścaram | suparṇāc cāpy adhigato dharma eṣa sanātanaḥ ||
ವೈಶಂಪಾಯನನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಋಗ್ವೇದ ಪಠಣ-ಅಧ್ಯಯನದ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಧಾರಿತವಾದ ಈ ವ್ರತವು ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ದುಶ್ಚರ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಈ ಸನಾತನ ಧರ್ಮವು ಸುಪರ್ಣ (ಗರುಡ)ನಿಂದಲೂ ಅಧಿಗತವಾಗಿದೆ.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that true dharma is both scripturally grounded (linked to Ṛgvedic recitation/study) and demanding in practice; it is presented as sanātana—perennial and authoritative—also transmitted through revered sources such as Suparṇa (Garuḍa).
Vaiśampāyana, continuing the discourse in Śānti Parva, underscores the difficulty of a particular vow/discipline associated with Vedic study and notes its traditional pedigree by stating that this eternal dharma was also learned from Suparṇa.