Shloka 6
मरुत्तोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः — Genealogy to Marutta and the Logistics of Royal Sacrifice
विविंशस्य सुता राजन् बभूवुर्दश पञ्च च | सर्वे धनुषि विक्रान्ता ब्रह्मुण्या: सत्यवादिन:
viviṁśasya sutā rājan babhūvur daśa pañca ca | sarve dhanuṣi vikrāntā brahmaṇyāḥ satyavādinaḥ |
Vyāsa said: “O king, Viviṁśa had fifteen sons. All of them were valiant in archery, devoted to Brahmins and sacred duty, and steadfast speakers of truth.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links kṣatriya excellence (archery and valor) with moral restraints: reverence for Brahmins/sacred order (brahmaṇya) and unwavering truthfulness (satyavāda). Power is presented as commendable only when aligned with dharma.
Vyāsa reports to the king a genealogical detail: Viviṁśa had fifteen sons, and he characterizes them collectively as skilled archers and ethically upright—setting up their role and reputation within the unfolding account.