Shloka 54
जातिं देशं च सत्यं च माहात्म्यं भरतर्षभ | धर्म वृत्ति च विज्ञाय क्षत्रियाणां नराधिप
jātiṃ deśaṃ ca satyaṃ ca māhātmyaṃ bharatarṣabha | dharmavṛttiṃ ca vijñāya kṣatriyāṇāṃ narādhipa rājan bharataśreṣṭha ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच— जातिं देशं च सत्यं च माहात्म्यं भरतर्षभ । धर्मवृत्तिं च विज्ञाय क्षत्रियाणां नराधिप ॥ राजन् भरतश्रेष्ठ, महाभारतकथायाः प्रारम्भे प्रत्येकपर्वणि क्षत्रियाणां जातिदेशसत्य-माहात्म्य-धर्मवृत्तीन् सम्यगवगम्य, द्विजेभ्यो यानि यानि दातव्यानि तेषां दानविधानं प्रवक्ष्यामि ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical narration as grounded in dharma: understanding a ruler’s lineage, land, truthfulness, and greatness, along with kṣatriya norms, guides proper conduct—here expressed as appropriate, parvan-specific offerings to brāhmaṇas.
Vaiśampāyana addresses the king and announces a forthcoming description: once the Mahābhārata story is underway, he will explain, for each parvan, what gifts should be offered to brāhmaṇas, based on the recognized qualities and dharma-conduct of kṣatriyas.