Shloka 3
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
समेता ब्रह्मभवने देवा देवर्षयस्तथा । कर्मान्तरमुपासन्तो जजल्पुरमितौजस:,महात्मा राजा युधिष्ठिरके उस यज्ञभवनमें राजर्षियोंके साथ बैठे हुए नारद आदि महर्षि उस समय ब्रह्माजीकी सभामें एकत्र हुए देवताओं और देवर्षियोंके समान सुशोभित हो रहे थे। बीच-बीचमें यज्ञसम्वन्धी एक-एक कर्मसे अवकाश पाकर अत्यन्त प्रतिभाशाली विद्वान आपसमें जल्पः (वाद-विवाद) करते थे। “यह इसी प्रकार होना चाहिये”, “नहीं, ऐसे नहीं होना चाहिये", “यह बात ऐसी ही है, ऐसी ही है, इससे भिन्न नहीं है।” इस प्रकार कह- कहकर बहुत-से वितण्डावादीः5 द्विज वहाँ वाद-विवाद करते थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | sametā brahmabhavane devā devarṣayas tathā | karmāntaram upāsanto jajalpūr amitaujasaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In Brahmā’s celestial hall, the gods and the divine seers had assembled. In the intervals between the successive acts of the sacrifice, those men of immeasurable brilliance engaged in lively discussion and debate—arguing what should be done and how it should be done—thus adorning the sacrificial setting with learned deliberation on right performance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic seriousness of ritual life: even in sacred assemblies, learned people use the pauses between rites to examine proper procedure through reasoned discussion. It implies that correct action (karma) is supported by inquiry, expertise, and disciplined debate rather than mere habit.
Vaiśampāyana describes a grand assembly in Brahmā’s hall where gods and divine seers are gathered. During breaks between ritual performances, the highly accomplished participants engage in vigorous conversation and debate about ritual matters.