Shloka 2
अग्निवंशवर्णनम् (Agni-vaṃśa-varṇana) / The Genealogy and Function of Agni
ब्राह्मण उवाच महाभूतानि यान्याहुः पठ्च धर्मभूतां वर । एकैकस्य गुणान् सम्यक् पञ्चानामपि मे वद,ब्राह्मण बोला--धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ व्याध! जो पाँच महाभूत कहे जाते हैं, उन पाँचोंमेंसे प्रत्येकके गुणोंका मुझसे भलीभाँति वर्णन करो
brāhmaṇa uvāca | mahābhūtāni yāny āhuḥ pañca dharmabhūtāṃ vara | ekaikasya guṇān samyak pañcānām api me vada ||
O brâmane disse: «Ó melhor entre os justos, diz-me com clareza as qualidades de cada um dos cinco grandes elementos (mahābhūtas) de que se fala. Explica-me, na devida ordem, as propriedades distintas de todos os cinco.»
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharmic inquiry: true understanding requires a clear account of the distinct guṇas (defining properties) of the five mahābhūtas, linking ethical life with right knowledge of reality.
A Brahmin addresses the hunter renowned for dharma and requests a systematic explanation of the five great elements and the specific qualities of each, setting up a didactic discussion.