Shloka 67
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
जनमेजय उवाच एवं बहुविध॑ धर्म प्रतिबुद्धैर्निषिवितम् । न कुर्वन्ति कथं विप्रा अन्ये नानाव्रते स्थिता:
Janamejaya uvāca: evaṁ bahuvidhaṁ dharmaṁ pratibuddhair niṣevitam | na kurvanti kathaṁ viprā anye nānāvrate sthitāḥ ||
جنمیجَے نے کہا—اے مُنی! یہ دھرم تو بہت سی صورتوں اور فضیلتوں سے بھرپور ہے اور بیدار و صاحبِ بصیرت لوگ اسے برتتے ہیں؛ پھر مختلف ورتوں اور ریاضتوں میں مشغول دوسرے برہمن اس پر عمل کیوں نہیں کرتے؟
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between outward religiosity (many vows and observances) and inward ethical realization (dharma practiced by the truly awakened). It implies that genuine dharma is not guaranteed by ritual discipline alone; it requires understanding and lived integrity.
Janamejaya, in dialogue with a sage, reflects on a dharma described as noble and practiced by enlightened people. He asks why other brāhmaṇas—despite undertaking many different vows—do not adopt that same dharma in their conduct.