Shloka 17
आदि पर्व — खाण्डवदाह प्रसङ्गः: पावकस्य याचनं तथा इन्द्रवर्षनिवारणोपायः
Adi Parva — Khāṇḍava episode: Agni’s request and the means to resist Indra’s rain
ताभि: सार्थ प्रयातास्मि लोकपालनिवेशनम् । ततः पश्यामहे सर्वा ब्राह्मणं संशितव्रतम्,उन सबके साथ एक दिन मैं लोकपाल कुबेरके घरपर जा रही थी। मार्गमें हम सबने उत्तम व्रतका पालन करनेवाले एक ब्राह्मणको देखा
tābhiḥ sārthaṃ prayātāsmi lokapāla-niveśanam | tataḥ paśyāmahe sarvā brāhmaṇaṃ saṃśita-vratam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Kasama ang mga babaeng iyon, ako’y naglakbay patungo sa tahanan ng Lokapāla (tagapangalaga ng daigdig). Pagkaraan, sa daan, nakita naming lahat ang isang brāhmaṇa na matatag sa mahihigpit na panata at disiplina.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds respect for disciplined ethical practice: the brāhmaṇa is identified not by wealth or power but by steadfast observance of vows (vrata), implying that moral restraint and self-control are marks of true excellence.
The speaker narrates a journey undertaken in the company of women toward the abode of a Lokapāla (contextually Kubera). En route, the group encounters a brāhmaṇa renowned for strict observance of vows, setting up a significant meeting or episode to follow.