Shloka 1
नारदेन धृतराष्ट्रगतिवर्णनम् | Nārada’s Account of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Future Course
ऑपन-- मा बछ। -ज:डि अष्टाविशोब् ध्याय: महर्षि व्यासका धृतराष्ट्रसे कुशल पूछते हुए विदुर और युधिष्ठटिरकी धर्मरूपताका प्रतिपादन करना और उनसे अभीष्ट वस्तु मॉगनेके लिये कहना वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः: समुपविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु । व्यास: सत्यवतीपुत्र इदं वचनमबत्रवीत्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | tataḥ samupaviṣṭeṣu pāṇḍaveṣu mahātmasu | vyāsaḥ satyavatīputra idaṁ vacanam abravīt |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, when the great-souled Pāṇḍavas had taken their seats, Vyāsa—the son of Satyavatī—addressed them with these words. The scene signals a shift from outward events to inward counsel: the sage prepares to inquire after well-being and to guide the kings toward dharma through measured speech and rightful requests.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical discourse: before instruction and requests are made, the parties sit in order and listen. It highlights the dharmic method—counsel delivered with composure, in a proper setting, by a qualified sage.
After the Pāṇḍavas take their seats, Vyāsa begins to speak. This introduces the forthcoming inquiry and guidance that Vyāsa will offer to the royal figures in the Āśramavāsika context.