Shloka 51
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
तैश्नोक्तो यज्ञियान् देशान् धर्मारण्यं तथैव च । जुगुप्समानो धावन् स तं यज्ञं समुपासदत्
taiś cokto yajñiyān deśān dharmāraṇyaṃ tathaiva ca | jugupsamāno dhāvan sa taṃ yajñaṃ samupāsadat ||
त्यांनीच त्याला यज्ञस्थाने आणि धर्मारण्य यांचा पत्ता सांगितला. धर्मराजाच्या यज्ञाची निंदा करण्याच्या हेतूने तिरस्काराने प्रेरित होऊन तो नेवळा धावत धावत त्या यज्ञात येऊन पोहोचला.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical critique: mere grandeur of ritual does not guarantee moral superiority; intention and true righteousness can be questioned, and even a celebrated sacrifice may be subjected to scrutiny.
A mongoose, having learned the locations connected with the sacrifice and the place called Dharmāraṇya, runs to Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrificial arena with a disparaging purpose, intending to denounce or undermine the rite.