Shloka 19
अव्यक्त-प्रबोधः (Awakening to the Unmanifest): The 25th and 26th Principles and Eligibility for Brahma-vidyā
जनक उवाच विशेषधर्मान् वर्णानां प्रब्रूहि भगवन् मम । ततः सामान्यधर्मश्चि सर्वत्र कुशलो हासि
janaka uvāca viśeṣa-dharmān varṇānāṁ prabrūhi bhagavan mama | tataḥ sāmānya-dharmaś ca sarvatra kuśalo hy asi ||
阇那迦说道：“尊者啊，请为我宣说诸社会阶序（瓦尔那）的别法；继而也请阐明通行于一切人的共法。因为你确实善于在诸般领域开示何者为善、何者为利。”
जनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a twofold inquiry into dharma: (1) viśeṣa-dharma—duties that differ by social role (varṇa), and (2) sāmānya-dharma—universal ethical duties binding on everyone. It highlights that a complete account of righteousness must address both role-based obligations and common moral principles.
King Janaka, in a dialogic setting within the Śānti Parva’s teachings on peace and righteousness, respectfully asks a revered teacher (addressed as ‘bhagavan’) to expound first the specific duties of the varṇas and then the general duties shared by all, acknowledging the teacher’s competence in ethical instruction.