Shloka 4
Dhaumya-varaṇa (Appointment of Dhaumya as Purohita) | धौम्यवरणम्
य एष गन्धर्वपते पूर्वेषां न: पुरोहित: । आसीदेतन्ममाचक्ष्व क एष भगवानृषि:,“गन्धर्वराज! ये जो हमारे पूर्वजोंके पुरोहित थे, वे भगवान् वसिष्ठ मुनि कौन हैं? यह मुझसे कहो”
ya eṣa gandharvapate pūrveṣāṃ naḥ purohitaḥ | āsīd etan mamācakṣva ka eṣa bhagavān ṛṣiḥ |
“Hỡi chúa tể các Gandharva, xin nói cho ta biết: vị hiền triết đáng tôn kính nào đã từng làm purohita (tư tế gia tộc) cho tổ tiên chúng ta?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic importance of recognizing legitimate spiritual authority: a lineage’s welfare is tied to its purohita and the rishis who preserve ritual order, memory, and ethical guidance. Inquiry into such figures is presented as a proper, respectful pursuit of knowledge.
Vaiśampāyana addresses the lord of the Gandharvas and asks for identification and background of a revered sage who served as the priest of their ancestors, seeking clarification about the person’s identity and stature.