Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
क्षत्रियेष्वाश्रितो धर्म: प्रजानां परिपालनम् । क्षत्राद् वृत्तित्राह्मिणानां तै: कथं ब्राह्मणो वर:
arjuna uvāca | kṣatriyeṣv āśrito dharmaḥ prajānāṁ paripālanam | kṣatrād vṛttir brāhmaṇānāṁ taiḥ kathaṁ brāhmaṇo varaḥ |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Ang dharma ng pagprotekta at pamamahala sa bayan ay nakasalalay sa mga Kshatriya. Mula rin sa uri ng Kshatriya nagmumula ang ikabubuhay ng mga Brahmin. Kung gayon, sa anong katuwiran maituturing na higit ang isang Brahmin?”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-based challenge: Arjuna argues from social function and dependence—since governance and protection (prajā-paripālana) are borne by Kshatriyas and Brahmanas often receive maintenance through the king’s support, he questions on what basis Brahmanas are called ‘superior’. It sets up a discussion on whether superiority is grounded in power and provision or in spiritual/ethical authority.
Arjuna is speaking in a dialogic context within the Anushasana Parva, raising a pointed doubt about varna hierarchy. He highlights the Kshatriya’s public duty of protecting the people and notes the Brahmana’s material dependence on royal support, using this to question the commonly asserted preeminence of Brahmanas.