Shloka 20
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
सुपर्णो नाम तमृषि: प्राप्तवान् पुरुषोत्तमात् । तपसा वै सुतप्तेन दमेन नियमेन च,सुपर्ण नामक ऋषिने इन्द्रियसंयम और मनोनिग्रह-पूर्वक भलीभाँति तपस्या करके भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमसे इस धर्मको प्राप्त किया
suparṇo nāma tam ṛṣiḥ prāptavān puruṣottamāt | tapasā vai sutaptena damena niyamena ca ||
Vaiśampāyana thưa: “Vị hiền triết tên Suparṇa đã thọ nhận Dharma ấy từ Đấng Tối Thượng (Puruṣottama), sau khi thực hành tapas nghiêm mật, cùng với sự tự chế (dama) và các giới hạnh kỷ luật (niyama).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is authentically attained through disciplined spiritual practice—tapas supported by dama (sense-restraint) and niyama (regulated conduct). The verse presents inner mastery as the ethical foundation for receiving higher teaching from the Supreme.
Vaiśampāyana reports an exemplum: the sage Suparṇa received a particular dharma/teaching from Puruṣottama, and the means of attainment is specified—intense austerity together with restraint and observance—thereby validating the teaching’s authority and the required qualifications.