Shloka 1
The Narrative of Suvrata: Tapas, Surrender-Prayer, and Cyclical Time
व्यास उवाच । प्रश्नमेकं महाभाग करिष्ये सांप्रतं वद । त्वयैव पूर्वमुक्तं हि सुव्रतं च प्रतीश्वरम्
vyāsa uvāca | praśnamekaṃ mahābhāga kariṣye sāṃprataṃ vada | tvayaiva pūrvamuktaṃ hi suvrataṃ ca pratīśvaram
ব্যাস বললেন—হে মহাভাগ্যবান, এখন আমি একটি প্রশ্ন করব; বলুন। কারণ পূর্বে আপনিই ‘সুব্রত’ নামক উত্তম ব্রত এবং পরমেশ্বর-ভক্তির কথা বলেছেন।
Vyāsa
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रश्नमेकं = प्रश्नम् + एकम्; सांप्रतं = सांप्रतम्; त्वयैव = त्वया + एव; पूर्वमुक्तं = पूर्वम् + उक्तम्; सुव्रतं = सुव्रतम्; प्रतीश्वरम् = प्रति + ईश्वरम्
FAQs
The speaker is Vyāsa, who is continuing a dialogue by asking a focused question about a previously mentioned religious observance (vrata) and devotion to the Supreme Lord.
It signals that the chapter is turning to an explanation or clarification of a specific “suvrata” (excellent vow/observance) and its relation to worship or devotion directed toward Īśvara.
The verse emphasizes careful inquiry and faithful practice: one should understand a vow/discipline clearly and connect it to sincere devotion to the Supreme Lord rather than treating it as a mere ritual.