Shloka 14
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
तेन धर्मेण कृतवान् दैवं पित्र्यं च भारत । फेनपा ऋषयश्जैव तं धर्म प्रतिपेदिरे
tena dharmeṇa kṛtavān daivaṃ pitryaṃ ca bhārata | phenapā ṛṣayaś caiva taṃ dharmaṃ pratipedire ||
Wika ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “O Bhārata, sa Dharmang iyon din isinagawa ni Nārāyaṇa ang mga ritwal ng pagsamba at mga handog na nararapat sa mga diyos at sa mga ninuno. At ang mga rishi na tinatawag na Phenapās ay gayundin—tinanggap at itinaguyod nila ang Dharmang iyon. Kaya ang aral na ito’y inihaharap bilang sinauna at may kapangyarihang tuntunin ng wastong asal—na unang isinabuhay ng mga banal at saka tinanggap ng mga pantas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma is validated by exemplary practice: Nārāyaṇa himself performs the obligations toward gods (daiva) and ancestors (pitrya) through it, and the Phenapā sages accept it. The ethical point is that right conduct includes honoring cosmic and ancestral obligations, and that a dharma gains authority through divine and seerly transmission.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing the pedigree of a particular dharma: it was practiced by Nārāyaṇa in performing divine and ancestral rites, and later adopted by the Phenapā ṛṣis. The verse functions as a credentialing statement—linking the teaching to ancient, revered exemplars.