Shloka 4
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
नमस्कृत्योपजग्मुस्ते लोकवृद्धं पितामहम् । परिवार्य च विश्वेशं पर्यासत दिवौकस:
namaskṛtyopajagmus te lokavṛddhaṃ pitāmaham | parivārya ca viśveśaṃ paryāsata divaukasaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Nachdem sie ehrerbietig gegrüßt hatten, traten jene himmlischen Wesen an den Großvater (Pitāmaha) heran, uralt an Weisheit für die Welten. Dann umringten die Götter den Herrn des Universums von allen Seiten und setzten sich um ihn, um in einer Stunde, die Demut vor höherer Ordnung und Führung verlangt, Rat zu suchen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights humility and proper conduct: even the gods begin by offering respectful salutations and then seek guidance from the cosmic elder, implying that right action (dharma) is grounded in reverence for wisdom and established order.
The gods come to Brahmā (the Pitāmaha), bow to him, surround him, and sit down—signaling a formal assembly convened to consult him about unfolding events in the Udyoga Parva.