Shloka 14
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
तेन धर्मेण कृतवान् दैवं पित्र्यं च भारत । फेनपा ऋषयश्जैव तं धर्म प्रतिपेदिरे
tena dharmeṇa kṛtavān daivaṃ pitryaṃ ca bhārata | phenapā ṛṣayaś caiva taṃ dharmaṃ pratipedire ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: “Ó Bhārata, por esse mesmo dharma Nārāyaṇa realizou os ritos de culto e as oferendas devidas aos deuses e aos ancestrais. E os sábios chamados Phenapās igualmente adotaram e sustentaram esse dharma. Assim, este ensinamento é apresentado como uma regra antiga e autorizada de reta conduta—praticada primeiro pelo divino e depois recebida pelos videntes.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma is validated by exemplary practice: Nārāyaṇa himself performs the obligations toward gods (daiva) and ancestors (pitrya) through it, and the Phenapā sages accept it. The ethical point is that right conduct includes honoring cosmic and ancestral obligations, and that a dharma gains authority through divine and seerly transmission.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing the pedigree of a particular dharma: it was practiced by Nārāyaṇa in performing divine and ancestral rites, and later adopted by the Phenapā ṛṣis. The verse functions as a credentialing statement—linking the teaching to ancient, revered exemplars.