Shloka 34
समन्तपञ्चक-आख्यानम् तथा अक्षौहिणी-प्रमाणनिर्णयः
Samantapañcaka Narrative and the Measure of an Akṣauhiṇī
कथितं विस्तरार्थ च यशो वीर्य महीक्षिताम् । पौष्यं तत्र च पौलोममास्तीकं चादित: स्मृतम्,शौनकजी! आपके इस सत्संग-सत्रमें मैं यह जो उत्तम इतिहास महाभारत सुना रहा हूँ, यही जनमेजयके सर्पयज्ञमें व्यासजीके बुद्धिमान् शिष्य वैशम्पायनजीके द्वारा भी वर्णन किया गया था। उन्होंने बड़े-बड़े नरपतियोंके यश और पराक्रमका विस्तारपूर्वक वर्णन करनेके लिये प्रारम्भमें पौष्य, पौलोम और आस्तीक--इन तीन पर्वोका स्मरण किया है
kathitaṁ vistarārthaṁ ca yaśo vīrya-mahīkṣitām | pauṣyaṁ tatra ca paulomam āstīkaṁ cāditaḥ smṛtam ||
This sacred narrative has been told in full detail, setting forth the fame and valor of great kings. In that telling, at the very outset, the sections known as Pauṣya, Pauloma, and Āstīka are recalled—so that the account may proceed in an ordered way and the deeds of rulers be understood in their proper scope and moral frame.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes orderly transmission of sacred history: the Mahābhārata is presented with careful structure, beginning with key introductory episodes, so that the glory and conduct of kings can be understood within a broader ethical and traditional framework.
The narrator signals the start of the Mahābhārata’s opening sequence by naming the initial sections—Pauṣya, Pauloma, and Āstīka—indicating that the detailed account of royal fame and heroism is being introduced through these preliminary narratives.