Shloka 8
अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal
तथा च तेषां सर्वेषां कथाभिन्पसंनिधौ । व्यासमन्वास्यतां राजन्नाजम्मुर्मुन॒यो परे
tathā ca teṣāṃ sarveṣāṃ kathābhiḥ saṃnidhau | vyāsam anvāsyatāṃ rājann ājagmur munayo pare ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: While those conversations were going on in the presence of them all, O King, as they sat behind Vyāsa, other sages also arrived there.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical importance of discourse conducted in the presence of realized elders: speech gains gravity when witnessed by sages, and guidance offered in such assemblies is implicitly aligned with dharma.
As the group continues its discussion with Vyāsa seated as a central authority, additional sages arrive, expanding the ascetic assembly around the king and reinforcing the solemn, instructive setting.