Shloka 4
अध्याय ७१ — द्रोणव्यूहरक्षा तथा समकालीन द्वन्द्वयुद्धानि
Protection of Droṇa’s formation and parallel duels
238 48 त्वा महाबाहो धन्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम् | | पुराणानां यज्वनां दक्षिणावताम्,“महाबाहु महर्षे! यज्ञ करने और दक्षिणा देनेवाले प्राचीन राजर्षियोंका यह परम उत्तम सराहनीय उपाख्यान सुनकर मुझे ऐसा विस्मय हुआ है कि उसने मेरा सारा शोक हर लिया है। ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे सूर्यका तेज सारा अन्धकार हर लेता है। अब मैं पाप (दुःख) और व्यथासे शून्य हो गया हूँ। बताइये, आपकी किस आज्ञाका पालन करूँ”
tvā mahābāho dhanyam ākhyānam uttamam | purāṇānāṁ yajvanāṁ dakṣiṇāvatām |
Sṛñjaya said: “O mighty-armed sage, having heard this supremely excellent and praiseworthy account concerning the ancient royal seers—men devoted to sacrifice and generous in gifts—I am struck with wonder, and my grief has been wholly dispelled. Just as the sun’s radiance removes all darkness, so has this narrative removed my sorrow. Now I am free from sin-born anguish and distress. Tell me: what command of yours shall I carry out?”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Exemplary narratives about righteous ancient kings—especially their sacrificial discipline and generosity—can transform the listener’s inner state: wonder replaces despair, and grief is dispelled like darkness by sunlight. The verse also models humility and readiness to act according to a teacher’s command.
A speaker, addressing a revered ‘mighty-armed’ sage, says that hearing an excellent account about ancient royal seers who performed sacrifices and gave gifts has removed all sorrow and distress. Now consoled and purified in mind, the speaker asks what instruction or command should be followed next.