Shloka 17
Adhyāya 60: Devagaṇa–Ṛṣi–Prajāpatīnāṃ Sambhavaḥ
Origins of Divine Classes, Sages, and Progenitors
ततस्तु सहित: सर्वे: सदस्यैर्जनमेजय: । इदं पश्चाद् द्विजश्रेष्ठं पर्यपृच्छत् कृताञज्जलि:,तदनन्तर सब सदस्योंसहित राजा जनमेजयने हाथ जोड़कर द्विजश्रेष्ठ व्यासजीसे इस प्रकार प्रश्न किया
tatastu sahitaḥ sarveḥ sadasyair janamejayaḥ | idaṁ paścād dvijaśreṣṭhaṁ paryapṛcchat kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
Then King Janamejaya, accompanied by all the assembled members of the council, respectfully joined his palms and, addressing the foremost of the twice-born, asked his question.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dhārmic inquiry: knowledge is sought with humility (kṛtāñjaliḥ), in the presence of the learned (sadasyaiḥ), and by honoring the teacher (dvijaśreṣṭha). Ethical learning begins with reverence and disciplined questioning.
After the preceding events, King Janamejaya, together with the assembled council, folds his hands and formally questions the foremost sage (addressed as dvijaśreṣṭha), preparing the next segment of the narration.