Shloka 12
Adhyāya 59: On Giving to the Asker and Supporting the Non-asking (याचक-अयाचक-दाने धर्मः)
क्षत्रियं विप्रकर्माणं बृहस्पतिमिवौजसा । विश्वामित्रं तव कुले गाधे: पुत्र सुधार्मिकम्
kṣatriyaṁ viprakarmāṇaṁ bṛhaspatim ivaujasā | viśvāmitraṁ tava kule gādheḥ putraṁ sudhārmikam ||
Dalam keturunanmu telah lahir Viśvāmitra—putera Gādhi—yang lurus perilakunya dan teguh dharmanya: seorang Kṣatriya menurut kelahiran, namun melaksanakan tugas-tugas seorang Brāhmaṇa, dan dalam kekuatan rohaninya menyerupai Bṛhaspati sendiri.
व्यववन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is recognized through conduct and attained excellence: though born a Kṣatriya, Viśvāmitra is praised for Brāhmaṇa-like works and spiritual power, implying that merit, discipline, and righteous practice can elevate one’s standing.
The speaker points to an illustrious ancestor in the listener’s lineage—Viśvāmitra, son of Gādhi—describing him as a Kṣatriya who performed Brāhmaṇa duties and possessed power comparable to Bṛhaspati, thereby honoring the lineage and reinforcing a moral example.