Shloka 1
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
ऑपनआक्राा बछ। अकाल त्रिशो&्थ्याय: वीतहव्यके पुत्रोंसे काशी-नरेशोंका घोर युद्ध
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śrutaṃ me mahad ākhyānam etat kurukulodvaha | suduṣprāpaṃ yad bravīṣi brāhmaṇyaṃ vadatāṃ vara ||
युधिष्ठिर म्हणाला—हे कुरुकुल-श्रेष्ठ! हे वक्त्यांमध्ये श्रेष्ठ पितामह! तुमच्या मुखातून हे महान आख्यान मी ऐकले. पण तुम्ही म्हणता की इतर वर्णांना याच देहात ब्राह्मणत्व मिळणे अत्यंत दुष्प्राप्य आहे—हे कसे समजावे?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: whether and how 'brāhmaṇya' is attainable, emphasizing that true Brahminhood is not merely a birth-label but a rare, demanding attainment tied to qualities and conduct—hence described as 'suduṣprāpa' (exceedingly difficult).
After hearing a major illustrative story, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma and reflects on Bhīṣma’s claim that for those of other varṇas, attaining Brahminhood in the same lifetime/body is extremely difficult, prompting further explanation about the nature of brāhmaṇya.