Shloka 106
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजोवाच प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा । जापकस्य दृढीकार: कथमेतद् भविष्यति,राजाने मन-ही-मन कहा--इन दोनोंका बड़ा भारी और गहन कार्य सामने आ गया है। इधर जापक ब्राह्मणका सुदृढ़ आग्रह ज्यों-का-त्यों बना हुआ है। इससे निपटारा कैसे होगा
rājovāca prasṛtaṃ sumahat kāryam anayor gahvaraṃ yathā | jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
राजोवाच—प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा। जापकस्य दृढीकारः कथमेतद् भविष्यति॥
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: when a grave, complex issue arises, steadfast personal vows (here, the jāpaka’s insistence) must be weighed alongside practical governance. It frames ethical decision-making as difficult and deep, requiring careful resolution rather than impulsive action.
The king observes that a major and profound dispute/problem has surfaced involving two parties, and that the japa-practising Brahmin remains unyielding. The king asks how the matter can be settled, setting up the next part of the discussion on how to resolve such a stalemate.