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Shloka 5

ब्राह्मण–क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठता-विवादः

Arjuna–Vāyu Dialogue on Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya Precedence

“यदि आपलोग आज्ञा दें तो रेणुक उन महान्‌ गजोंके पास जाकर धर्मके समस्त गोपनीय रहस्योंको पूछे” ।।

yadi ājñāṁ dadyuḥ, tadā reṇukā mahāgajān prati gatvā dharmasya sarvān gopyān rahasyān pṛcchet iti | pitāmahavacaḥ śrutvā te devāḥ śāntacittāḥ tadā reṇukāṁ preṣayām āsuḥ yatra te dharaṇīdharā diggajāḥ santi |

毗湿摩说道:“若诸神允准,便让勒努迦前往那些雄伟的大象处,询问一切关于达摩的隐秘奥义。”诸天听闻祖父神(梵天)的言辞,心神澄静,遂遣勒努迦前往那处——四方护持、支撑大地的护方巨象所在之地。

पितामहवचःthe words of the Grandsire
पितामहवचः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपितामह-वचस्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
श्रुत्वाhaving heard
श्रुत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु (धातु)
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral), Non-finite
तेthey
ते:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
देवाःthe gods
देवाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootदेव
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
रेणुकम्Renuka (proper name)
रेणुकम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरेणुक
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
तदाthen
तदा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतदा
प्रेषयामासुःthey sent / dispatched
प्रेषयामासुः:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-इष् (धातु) / प्रेषय् (णिजन्त)
Formलिट् (perfect), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
अव्यग्राःunagitated, calm-minded
अव्यग्राः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअव्यग्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
यत्रwhere
यत्र:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयत्र
तेthose
ते:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
धरणीधराःearth-bearers (supporters of the earth)
धरणीधराः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootधरणी-धर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
R
Renuka
P
Pitamaha (Brahma)
D
Devas (gods)
M
Mahagajas (great elephants)
D
Diggajas (elephants of the directions)
D
Dharma (as a principle/teaching)

Educational Q&A

Dharma is portrayed as subtle and sometimes ‘gopya’ (confidential), to be approached through disciplined inquiry, proper authorization, and respect for established cosmic and moral supports. The verse emphasizes that ethical knowledge is not merely asserted but sought from authoritative bearers of order.

After Brahma’s statement is heard, the gods—remaining composed—send Renuka as an emissary to the location of the diggajas, the mythic elephants who uphold the earth/directions, so that she may question them about the hidden principles of Dharma.