Shloka 5
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
शौनक उवाच श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यशेषेण कथामेतां मनोरमाम्
Śaunaka uvāca: śrotum icchāmy aśeṣeṇa kathām etāṁ manoramām.
Śaunaka sprach: „Ich wünsche, diese anmutige und fesselnde Erzählung vollständig und ohne Auslassung zu hören.“
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and pedagogical value of attentive, complete listening (śravaṇa) to sacred history (itihāsa). A sincere request to hear “without omission” underscores respect for tradition and the responsibility to receive teachings carefully and in their full context.
In the framing dialogue of the Mahābhārata, the sage Śaunaka expresses his desire to hear the story fully. This sets the stage for the narrator to continue the account in a comprehensive manner.