Shloka 8
Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla
द्वैपायनो भरद्वाज: सुमन्तुर्गोतमोऽसित: । वसिष्ठश्च्यवन: कण्वो मैत्रेय: कवषस्त्रित: ॥ ७ ॥ विश्वामित्रो वामदेव: सुमतिर्जैमिनि: क्रतु: । पैल: पराशरो गर्गो वैशम्पायन एव च ॥ ८ ॥ अथर्वा कश्यपो धौम्यो रामो भार्गव आसुरि: । वीतिहोत्रो मधुच्छन्दा वीरसेनोऽकृतव्रण: ॥ ९ ॥
dvaipāyano bharadvājaḥ sumantur gotamo ’sitaḥ vasiṣṭhaś cyavanaḥ kaṇvo maitreyaḥ kavaṣas tritaḥ
For the yajña, those great sages headed by Dvaipāyana were appointed as ṛtvij priests. Learned in the Vedas and steadfast in Brahman, they would help the king complete the sacrifice according to sacred rite.
King Yudhiṣṭhira invited all these exalted brāhmaṇas to act in different capacities as priests, advisers and so on.
FAQs
This verse lists renowned sages such as Vyāsa (Dvaipāyana), Bharadvāja, Gautama, Vasiṣṭha, Kaṇva, and Maitreya as present in the assembly.
To show the extraordinary sanctity and authority of the Rājasūya assembly where Kṛṣṇa was honored, witnessed by the foremost Vedic seers.
Seek uplifting association—learning in the company of the wise strengthens discernment, humility, and devotion.