Shloka 5
ब्राह्मण–क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठता-विवादः
Arjuna–Vāyu Dialogue on Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya Precedence
“यदि आपलोग आज्ञा दें तो रेणुक उन महान् गजोंके पास जाकर धर्मके समस्त गोपनीय रहस्योंको पूछे” ।। पितामहवच: श्रुत्वा ते देवा रेणुकं तदा । प्रेषषामासुरव्यग्रा यत्र ते धरणीधरा:,पितामह ब्रह्माजीकी बात सुनकर शान्त चित्तवाले देवताओंने उस समय रेणुकको उस स्थानपर भेजा, जहाँ पृथ्वीको धारण करनेवाले वे दिग्गज मौजूद थे
yadi ājñāṁ dadyuḥ, tadā reṇukā mahāgajān prati gatvā dharmasya sarvān gopyān rahasyān pṛcchet iti | pitāmahavacaḥ śrutvā te devāḥ śāntacittāḥ tadā reṇukāṁ preṣayām āsuḥ yatra te dharaṇīdharā diggajāḥ santi |
भीष्म उवाच— “यदि भवद्भिरनुज्ञायते, तर्हि रेणुका तान् महागजान् गत्वा धर्मस्य सर्वान् गुह्यतमांश्च रहस्यान् पृच्छतु।” पितामहस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ते देवाः शान्तमानसास्तदा रेणुकां प्रेषयामासुः, यत्र ते धरणीधराः दिग्गजाः स्थिताः।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is portrayed as subtle and sometimes ‘gopya’ (confidential), to be approached through disciplined inquiry, proper authorization, and respect for established cosmic and moral supports. The verse emphasizes that ethical knowledge is not merely asserted but sought from authoritative bearers of order.
After Brahma’s statement is heard, the gods—remaining composed—send Renuka as an emissary to the location of the diggajas, the mythic elephants who uphold the earth/directions, so that she may question them about the hidden principles of Dharma.