Shloka 153
Pūjya-namaskārya-prakaraṇa
On Those Worthy of Honor and Salutation
ब्राह्म॒ण्यं यो न जानीते धनं लब्ध्वेव दुर्लभम् । वह पापियोंसे भी बढ़कर अत्यन्त पापी और उनमें भी अधम ही है, जो दुर्लभ धनकी भाँति ब्राह्मणत्वको पाकर भी उसके महत्त्वको नहीं समझता है
brāhmaṇyaṁ yo na jānīte dhanaṁ labdhveva durlabham | sa pāpīyo 'pi pāpīyān atyanta-pāpī ca teṣv api adhamaḥ ||
Wika ni Matanga: “Ang sinumang hindi nakakikilala sa tunay na halaga ng pagiging brāhmaṇa—kahit natamo na niya ito na parang nakasumpong ng bihirang kayamanan—ay mas masahol pa kaysa sa mga makasalanan: lubhang makasalanan, at pinakababa maging sa kanilang hanay. Sapagkat ang magtaglay ng isang pribilehiyong espirituwal na pinaghirapan at bihirang makamtan, ngunit hindi maunawaan ang kahulugan nito, ay isang mabigat na pagbagsak sa moralidad.”
मतंग उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brāhmaṇahood is portrayed as a rare, precious attainment that carries ethical and spiritual responsibility; failing to understand and live up to its significance is condemned as a deeper wrongdoing than ordinary sin.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, the sage Matanga delivers a moral judgment: he rebukes those who, despite attaining the status associated with a brāhmaṇa, do not grasp its true value and obligations.