Yudhishthira said If, O prince, it is so very difficult for the other three castes to acquire Brahmanahood, how then did the great Vishvasmitra, O king, though a Kshatriya, acquire the status of a Brahmana? I desire to know this, O sire! Therefore, do you truly describe this matter to me.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ब्राह्मण्यं यदि दुष्प्राप्यं त्रिभिर्वर्णैर्नराधिप। कथं प्राप्तं महाराज क्षत्रियेण महात्मना॥ विश्वामित्रेण धर्मात्पन् ब्राह्मणत्वं नरर्षभ। श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वेन तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥