Shloka 21
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
धृतराष्ट उवाच ये ब्राह्मणा मृदव: सत्यशीला बहुश्रुता: सर्वभूताभिरामा: । येडधीयते सेतिहासं पुराणं मध्वाहुत्या जुद्वति वै द्विजेभ्य:
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca ye brāhmaṇā mṛdavaḥ satyaśīlā bahuśrutāḥ sarvabhūtābhirāmāḥ | ye ’dhīyate setihāsaṃ purāṇaṃ madhvāhutyā judvati vai dvijebhyaḥ ||
धृतराष्ट्र म्हणाले—जे ब्राह्मण मृदुस्वभावी, सत्यनिष्ठ, बहुश्रुत आणि सर्व प्राण्यांना प्रिय असतात; जे इतिहास व पुराणांचे अध्ययन करतात आणि मधु आहुती देऊन विधिपूर्वक द्विजांना अर्पण करतात—अशा पुरुषांविषयी (मला सांगा)।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of the brāhmaṇa: gentleness, truthfulness, broad learning, and universal benevolence, joined with disciplined study of sacred-traditional literature (Itihāsa and Purāṇa) and proper ritual-honor toward the twice-born through offerings.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is describing (and implicitly inquiring about) a class of exemplary brāhmaṇas—defined by character, learning, and ritual practice—within the Anuśāsana Parva’s broader instruction on dharma and proper conduct.