Shloka 28
Atithi’s Direction to the Nāga-sage Padma at Naimiṣa (अतिथ्युपदेशः—नैमिषे पद्मनागोपाख्यानप्रस्तावः)
विश्वरूपो हि वै त्वाष्ट्र: पुरोहितो देवानामासीत्
viśvarūpo hi vai tvāṣṭraḥ purohito devānām āsīt, svasrīyo 'surāṇāṃ sa pratyakṣaṃ devebhyo bhāgam adāt parokṣam asurebhyaḥ
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Si Viśvarūpa, anak ni Tvaṣṭṛ, ay naging purohita ng mga diyos. Dahil may kaugnayan siya sa mga Asura sa panig ng ina, ibinibigay niya sa mga diyos ang bahagi ng handog nang hayagan, ngunit sa mga Asura ay ipinagkakaloob niya ang kanilang bahagi nang palihim at di-tuwiran.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical problem of divided allegiance: a priest entrusted with sacred duty should act with impartiality and transparency, yet kinship ties can lead to covert favoritism, undermining dharma in ritual and governance.
Arjuna recounts that Viśvarūpa, appointed as the gods’ priest, was also the Asuras’ nephew; therefore he distributed sacrificial portions openly to the gods while providing the Asuras’ share only indirectly, indicating a concealed dual service.