Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 23
ब्राह्मणपूजायां व्युष्टिः — Vyuṣṭi (Merit-Outcome) of Honoring Brāhmaṇas: Kṛṣṇa and Durvāsā
ततो नारायणो दृष्टवा तानृषीन् विस्मयान्वितान् । प्रश्मितं मधुरं स्निग्धं॑ पप्रच्छ वदतां वर:
tato nārāyaṇo dṛṣṭvā tān ṛṣīn vismayānvitān | praśmitaṃ madhuraṃ snigdhaṃ papraccha vadatāṃ varaḥ ||
Then Nārāyaṇa, seeing those sages filled with wonder—He who is foremost among speakers—asked them with a gentle smile, in words that were sweet, tender, and affectionate.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic communication: true authority expresses itself through humility, gentle demeanor, and affectionate speech. Even Nārāyaṇa approaches the sages by asking respectfully, showing that ethical inquiry invites wisdom rather than demanding it.
Bhīṣma narrates that Nārāyaṇa (Kṛṣṇa), noticing the sages astonished, speaks to them with a mild smile and kindly, sweet words, and then questions them—setting up the ensuing instruction or clarification to be given by the sages.