Shloka 2
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
बृहस्पतिश्वोशना च ब्रह्माणं पर्युपस्थितौ । मरुतश्न सहेन्द्रेण वसवश्चाग्निना सह
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Bṛhaspatiś cōśanā ca Brahmāṇaṃ paryupasthitau | Marutaś ca sahendreṇa Vasavaś cāgninā saha ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Einst standen Bṛhaspati und Uśanā (Śukrācārya) in ehrerbietigem Dienst vor Brahmā. Bei ihnen waren die Maruts mit Indra und die Vasus zusammen mit Agni.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
By placing rival counselors—Bṛhaspati (devas) and Uśanā/Śukra (asuras)—together before Brahmā, the verse frames counsel and policy as accountable to a higher dharmic order. Wisdom is validated by alignment with cosmic law, not by factional advantage.
Vaiśampāyana describes a formal gathering in Brahmā’s presence: Bṛhaspati and Śukra attend, accompanied by major divine groups (Maruts with Indra; Vasus with Agni). This sets the stage for an authoritative discourse or decision relevant to the unfolding conflict in the Udyoga Parva.