Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
श्रीसूत उवाच सम्पृष्टो भगवानेवं द्वैपायनसुतो द्विजा: । अभिनन्द्य हरेर्वीर्यमभ्याचष्टुं प्रचक्रमे ॥ १४ ॥
śrī-sūta uvāca sampṛṣṭo bhagavān evaṁ dvaipāyana-suto dvijāḥ abhinandya harer vīryam abhyācaṣṭuṁ pracakrame
Śrī Sūta said: O learned brāhmaṇas gathered at Naimiṣāraṇya, when Bhagavān Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Dvaipāyana, was thus questioned by the King, he praised the King and then began to further describe the glories of Śrī Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This verse shows that when asked sincerely, the saintly speaker (Śukadeva) first acknowledges the question and then begins narrating Lord Hari’s glories—highlighting respectful, purposeful transmission of bhakti teachings.
Sūta identifies Śukadeva by his lineage—son of Vyāsa (Dvaipāyana)—to honor the disciplic connection and authenticate the narration as coming through the revered Bhagavata paramparā.
Make time for attentive śravaṇam—hearing and reflecting on Hari’s qualities and deeds—because it steadies the mind, strengthens devotion, and reorients daily choices toward dharma and spiritual purpose.