Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् | प्रजापतौ पन्नगानां देवर्षीणां च संविदम्
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | prajāpatau pannagānāṃ devarṣīṇāṃ ca saṃvidam pūrvakālam ||
在此亦然,博学之士援引一则古老先例:久远以前,在生主(Prajāpati)面前,诸那伽(Nāga,龙蛇族)与天界圣仙(devarṣi)之间曾有一场对话。人们追忆此事,以为明鉴,用以阐明眼前之理。
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse teaches that ethical questions are clarified by appealing to authoritative precedent: ancient narratives (itihāsa) and remembered dialogues of sages are used to illuminate dharma and proper conduct.
The Brahmin speaker introduces an old story as an illustrative example—an earlier discussion held before Prajāpati between the serpents and the divine seers—signaling that the forthcoming account will serve as guidance for the present issue.