Mahabharata 1.194.2 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 194, Shloka 2
कर्णस्य मन्त्रः — Duryodhana-प्रति नीति-विचारः
Karna’s Counsel on Strategy toward the Pāṇḍavas
पर्यपृच्छददीनात्मा कुन्तीपुत्रं सुवर्चसम् । कथं जानीम भवतः: क्षत्रियान् ब्राह्मणानुत
vaiśampāyana uvāca | paryapṛcchad adīnātmā kuntīputraṁ suvarcasam | kathaṁ jānīma bhavataḥ kṣatriyān brāhmaṇān uta |
毗湿摩衍那曰：其后，那位心怀高贵的国王问昆蒂之光辉之子曰：“我等如何得知汝等是刹帝利，还是婆罗门？”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic principle: ethical conduct—especially hospitality and speech—requires discernment of a guest’s identity and social role. The question is not mere curiosity; it reflects responsibility to treat visitors appropriately according to dharma.
A noble host questions the radiant son of Kuntī (Yudhiṣṭhira) to determine whether he and his companions are kṣatriyas or brāhmaṇas. The scene sets up the tension of concealed identity and the careful observance of social and ritual propriety.
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