Shloka 19
अव्यक्त-प्रबोधः (Awakening to the Unmanifest): The 25th and 26th Principles and Eligibility for Brahma-vidyā
जनक उवाच विशेषधर्मान् वर्णानां प्रब्रूहि भगवन् मम । ततः सामान्यधर्मश्चि सर्वत्र कुशलो हासि
janaka uvāca viśeṣa-dharmān varṇānāṁ prabrūhi bhagavan mama | tataḥ sāmānya-dharmaś ca sarvatra kuśalo hy asi ||
ஜனகர் கூறினார்—பகவனே! வர்ணங்களின் தனித்தனியான கடமைகளை எனக்கு விளக்குங்கள்; அதன் பின் எல்லோருக்கும் பொதுவான தர்மங்களையும் கூறுங்கள். ஏனெனில் எல்லா துறைகளிலும் நலமானதை எடுத்துரைப்பதில் நீங்கள் திறமைமிக்கவர்.
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a twofold inquiry into dharma: (1) viśeṣa-dharma—duties that differ by social role (varṇa), and (2) sāmānya-dharma—universal ethical duties binding on everyone. It highlights that a complete account of righteousness must address both role-based obligations and common moral principles.
King Janaka, in a dialogic setting within the Śānti Parva’s teachings on peace and righteousness, respectfully asks a revered teacher (addressed as ‘bhagavan’) to expound first the specific duties of the varṇas and then the general duties shared by all, acknowledging the teacher’s competence in ethical instruction.