Shloka 6
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
स सम नित्यं निशापाये प्रातरुत्थाय वीर्यवान् | ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियांश्वैव पृच्छन्नास्ते महारथ:
sa sama nityaṃ niśāpāye prātar utthāya vīryavān | brāhmaṇān kṣatriyāṃś caiva pṛcchann āste mahārathaḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：那位勇武的伟大战车武士，每当夜尽天明，便于清晨起身，端坐而问，向婆罗门与刹帝利请教，求得关于正行与各自本分之道的指引。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength is not only martial prowess but disciplined, daily consultation with learned and responsible members of society. Ethical governance is shown as a habit of inquiry—seeking dharma from Brahmins (scriptural/ethical insight) and Kshatriyas (practical statecraft and duty).
At daybreak, the heroic king/warrior rises and routinely questions Brahmins and Kshatriyas. The verse sets a scene of regular counsel and deliberation, preparing for the advice or discussion that follows in the chapter.