Shloka 29

Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मक्षत्रे च विहिते ब्राह्मंं तेजो विशिष्यते । सो क्षात्राद्‌ बलाद्धीनो बाह्यूं तेज: प्रपेदिवान्‌

Transliteration

brahmakṣatre ca vihite brāhmaṃ tejo viśiṣyate | so kṣātrād balāddhīno bāhyaṃ tejaḥ prapedivān |

Translation

当婆罗门之力与刹帝利之力并存之时，人们以婆罗门的灵辉（tejas）为更胜一筹。因此，虽我在纯粹武力上不及武士，我仍来归依于你的婆罗门光辉——因为我明白，真正的权威不只在强力，更在神圣与经由戒律锤炼的知识。

Word by Word

• {'brahma-kṣatre': 'Brahminhood and Kshatriyahood

• the two orders/powers (spiritual and martial)', 'vihite': 'when established/ordained

• when present together', 'brāhmam tejaḥ': 'Brahminic radiance

• spiritual potency born of learning, austerity, and purity', 'viśiṣyate': 'is distinguished

• is superior/excels', 'kṣātrāt': 'from/than the Kshatriya (power)', 'balāt': 'from strength

• physical/martial force', 'hīnaḥ': 'deficient

• inferior', 'bāhyam': 'external

• outward (as opposed to inner spiritual power)', 'tejaḥ': 'splendor, energy, potency, authority', 'prapedivān': 'has resorted to

Speaker

ब्राह्मण उवाच

Characters & Entities

• ब्राह्मण (the Brahmin speaker)
• ब्राह्मतेज (Brahminic spiritual power)
• क्षात्रतेज/क्षात्रबल (Kshatriya martial power/strength)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse contrasts two kinds of authority—martial strength (kṣātra-bala/tejas) and spiritual radiance (brāhma-tejas)—and asserts that when both are present, disciplined knowledge and sanctity are ethically superior. It implies that force alone is insufficient; higher legitimacy comes from inner restraint, learning, and dharmic conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

A Brahmin speaker acknowledges the hierarchy between spiritual and martial powers and declares that, being weaker in outward strength, he has approached and taken refuge in the addressee’s Brahminic potency. The statement functions as a deferential appeal for protection or support grounded in spiritual authority rather than physical might.