Shloka 67
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
जनमेजय उवाच एवं बहुविध॑ धर्म प्रतिबुद्धैर्निषिवितम् । न कुर्वन्ति कथं विप्रा अन्ये नानाव्रते स्थिता:
Janamejaya uvāca: evaṁ bahuvidhaṁ dharmaṁ pratibuddhair niṣevitam | na kurvanti kathaṁ viprā anye nānāvrate sthitāḥ ||
जनमेजय उवाच—एवं बहुविधो धर्मो बुधैः सेवितः समाहितैः। अन्ये तु विप्राः कथं नैनं चरन्ति नानाव्रतेषु संस्थिताः॥
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between outward religiosity (many vows and observances) and inward ethical realization (dharma practiced by the truly awakened). It implies that genuine dharma is not guaranteed by ritual discipline alone; it requires understanding and lived integrity.
Janamejaya, in dialogue with a sage, reflects on a dharma described as noble and practiced by enlightened people. He asks why other brāhmaṇas—despite undertaking many different vows—do not adopt that same dharma in their conduct.