Shloka 54
Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya
Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि ऋषीणामूर्थध्वरेतसाम् । प्रजावतां च पजचाशदृषीणामपि पाण्डव,पाण्डुनन्दन! अट्टासी हजार ऊर्ध्वरेता ऋषि और पचास संतानवान् महर्षि उस सभामें उपस्थित होते हैं
aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi ṛṣīṇām ūrdhvaretasām | prajāvatāṁ ca pañcāśad ṛṣīṇām api pāṇḍava ||
Nārada said: “O Pāṇḍava, there are eighty-eight thousand sages who live in strict continence, and also fifty sages who are householders blessed with offspring—these too are present in that assembly.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms that dharma has multiple honored modes: rigorous renunciation (ūrdhvaretas, celibate ascetics) and responsible household life (prajāvat, with progeny). A righteous polity respects and accommodates both, drawing moral authority from their presence.
Nārada is describing the grandeur and sanctity of the royal assembly, noting the immense number of sages present—both celibate ascetics and householders—thereby portraying the sabhā as a spiritually weighty gathering, not merely a political court.