Shloka 1
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
ऑपनआक्राा बछ। अकाल त्रिशो&्थ्याय: वीतहव्यके पुत्रोंसे काशी-नरेशोंका घोर युद्ध
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | śrutaṃ me mahad ākhyānam etat kurukulodvaha | suduṣprāpaṃ yad bravīṣi brāhmaṇyaṃ vadatāṃ vara ||
由提湿提罗说道：“噢，俱卢族的栋梁，噢，毗多摩诃，诸说者之最！我已从你口中听闻这宏大的叙事。然而你所宣称的——对其他种姓之人而言，在此身之中获得婆罗门之位（真正的婆罗门身份）极其艰难——几乎令人觉得不可企及。”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: whether and how 'brāhmaṇya' is attainable, emphasizing that true Brahminhood is not merely a birth-label but a rare, demanding attainment tied to qualities and conduct—hence described as 'suduṣprāpa' (exceedingly difficult).
After hearing a major illustrative story, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma and reflects on Bhīṣma’s claim that for those of other varṇas, attaining Brahminhood in the same lifetime/body is extremely difficult, prompting further explanation about the nature of brāhmaṇya.