Shloka 3
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 97: Satyavatī’s appeal and Bhīṣma’s reaffirmation of satya
ततः कदाचिद् ब्रह्माणमुपासांचक्रिरे सुरा: । तत्र राजर्षयो ह्ासन् स च राजा महाभिष:,तदनन्तर एक समय सब देवता ब्रह्माजीकी सेवामें उनके समीप बैठे हुए थे। वहाँ बहुत-से राजर्षि तथा पूर्वोक्त राजा महाभिष भी उपस्थित थे
tataḥ kadācid brahmāṇam upāsāṃ cakrire surāḥ | tatra rājarṣayo hāsan sa ca rājā mahābhiṣaḥ ||
Then, on one occasion, the gods gathered to attend upon Brahmā in reverent service. There, many royal seers were present, and King Mahābhiṣa too was in that august assembly.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes a dharmic setting: when gods and royal sages assemble before Brahmā, the narrative implies heightened moral accountability—those near sacred authority are expected to embody restraint, humility, and right conduct.
Vaiśampāyana describes a particular occasion when the gods came to serve Brahmā. In that gathering were many royal sages, and King Mahābhiṣa was also present, setting the stage for events involving him.