Shloka 17
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
अहं वै विपुले तात कुले धनसमन्विते
ahaṃ vai vipule tāta kule dhanasamanvite
Caṇḍāla itu berkata: “Wahai tuan yang mulia, sesungguhnya aku dahulu lahir dalam keluarga besar lagi makmur, berharta kekayaan.”
चाण्डाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The speaker begins a self-account that frames ethical reflection: worldly markers like birth in a great, wealthy family are stated, often as a prelude to showing that true worth is measured by conduct (ācāra) and dharma rather than mere lineage or possessions.
A Caṇḍāla is speaking and introduces his background, addressing someone respectfully as “tāta.” He states that he belonged to a large and wealthy family, setting up the context for a moral or explanatory account that follows in subsequent verses.