Shloka 13
जनक–ब्राह्मणसंवादः
Viṣaya, Mamatva, and Self-Mastery
ब्राह्मण उवाच पितृपैतामहे राज्ये वश्ये जनपदे सति । ब्रूहि कां मतिमास्थाय ममत्वं वर्जित त्वया
brāhmaṇa uvāca | pitṛpaitāmahe rājye vaśye janapade sati | brūhi kāṃ matim āsthāya mamatvaṃ varjitaṃ tvayā ||
婆罗门说道：“大王啊，此国与其民自汝父祖以来皆在汝正当权柄之下；请告我——汝依何等智慧，竟能舍弃对其一切‘我有’之念？”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the ethical basis of renouncing possessiveness (mamatva) even toward legitimate, ancestral sovereignty. It highlights that true detachment is not mere abandonment but should rest on a clear, reasoned understanding (mati) aligned with dharma.
A Brahmin questions a king who has hereditary authority over a compliant realm, asking what conviction or insight led him to give up his sense of ownership toward the kingdom and its people.