Shloka 106
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
राजोवाच प्रस्तुतं सुमहत् कार्यमनयोर्गह्वरं यथा । जापकस्य दृढीकार: कथमेतद् भविष्यति
rājovāca prasṛtaṃ sumahat kāryam anayor gahvaraṃ yathā | jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
بادشاہ نے دل ہی دل میں کہا—ان دونوں کے سامنے ایک نہایت بڑا اور گہرا، گویا کھائی جیسا، معاملہ آ کھڑا ہوا ہے۔ اور جاپک برہمن کا سخت اصرار جوں کا توں قائم ہے۔ پھر اس کا فیصلہ کیسے ہوگا؟
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: when a grave, complex issue arises, steadfast personal vows (here, the jāpaka’s insistence) must be weighed alongside practical governance. It frames ethical decision-making as difficult and deep, requiring careful resolution rather than impulsive action.
The king observes that a major and profound dispute/problem has surfaced involving two parties, and that the japa-practising Brahmin remains unyielding. The king asks how the matter can be settled, setting up the next part of the discussion on how to resolve such a stalemate.