Shloka 8
नारदेन दिव्यसभाः कथितुं प्रतिज्ञा
Nārada’s Prelude to Describing the Divine Assemblies
ईदृशी भवता काचिद् दृष्टपूर्वा सभा क्वचित् | इतो वा श्रेयसी ब्रह्मंस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व पृच्छत:,ब्रह्मन! क्या आपने पहले कहीं ऐसी या इससे भी अच्छी कोई सभा देखी है? मैं जानना चाहता हूँ, अतः आप मुझसे यह बात बतावें
īdṛśī bhavatā kācid dṛṣṭapūrvā sabhā kvacit | ito vā śreyasī brahman tan mamācakṣva pṛcchataḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Have you ever seen anywhere a hall like this before, or even one superior to it? O Brāhmaṇa, since I ask, tell me truly.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic mode of inquiry: even a powerful king speaks with humility and respect, seeking reliable testimony before forming conclusions about grandeur and excellence.
In the context of the Sabha Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, impressed by the extraordinary assembly hall, asks a venerable Brāhmaṇa whether he has seen such a hall before or any hall superior to it, requesting an honest account.