Shloka 66
अनुक्रमणिकाध्यायः (Anukramaṇikā Adhyāya) — Invocation, Narrator Frame, and Textual Scope
ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणां प्रमाणं च युगै:ः सह । ऋचो यजूषि सामानि वेदाध्यात्मं तथैव च,ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्र--इन चारों वर्णोंके कर्तव्यका विधान, पुराणोंका सम्पूर्ण मूलतत्त्व भी प्रकट हुआ है। तपस्या एवं ब्रह्मचर्यके स्वरूप, अनुष्ठान एवं फलोंका विवरण, पृथ्वी, चन्द्रमा, सूर्य, ग्रह, नक्षत्र, तारा, सत्ययुग, त्रेता, द्वापर, कलियुग--इन सबके परिमाण और प्रमाण, ऋग्वेद, यजुर्वेद, सामवेद और इनके आध्यात्मिक अभिप्राय और अध्यात्मशास्त्रका इस ग्रन्थमें विस्तारसे वर्णन किया गया है
grahanakṣatratārāṇāṃ pramāṇaṃ ca yugaiḥ saha | ṛco yajūṃṣi sāmāni vedādhyātmaṃ tathaiva ca |
It sets forth the measures and reckonings of the planets, lunar mansions, and stars, together with the spans of the world-ages. It also expounds the hymns of the Ṛgveda, the formulas of the Yajurveda, and the chants of the Sāmaveda, along with their inner spiritual purport—showing that this work aims to ground right living (dharma) in a comprehensive understanding of cosmic order and sacred knowledge.
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s claim to encyclopedic scope: it links dharma and human conduct to a larger order—cosmic measurements (time and celestial cycles) and the Vedas’ outward forms and inward spiritual meaning—implying that ethical life is best understood within a well-ordered vision of the universe and revelation.
In the opening catalog of the work’s contents (Adi Parva’s introductory section), the text enumerates subjects treated in the Mahābhārata, here emphasizing astronomy/cosmology (planets, stars, yugas) and Vedic materials (Ṛk, Yajus, Sāman) together with their adhyātma—its inner, spiritual interpretation.