Shloka 11
वारुणी सभा — Varuṇa’s Divine Assembly
Nārada’s Description
पाणिमान्ू, बलवान कुण्डधार, प्रहाद, मूषिकाद, जनमेजय आदि नाग जो पताका, मण्डल और फणोंसे सुशोभित वहाँ उपस्थित होते हैं, महानाग भगवान् अनन्त भी वहाँ स्थित होते हैं, जिन्हें देखते ही जलके स्वामी वरुण आसन आदि देते और सत्कारपूर्वक उनका पूजन करते हैं। वासुकि आदि सभी नाग हाथ जोड़कर उनके सामने खड़े होते और भगवान् शेषकी आज्ञा पाकर यथायोग्य आसनोंपर बैठकर वहाँकी शोभा बढ़ाते हैं। युधिष्ठि!! ये तथा और भी बहुतसे नाग उस सभामें क्लेशरहित हो महात्मा वरुणकी उपासना करते हैं
Pāṇimān, balavān Kuṇḍadhāraḥ, Prahlādaḥ, Mūṣikādaḥ, Janamejaya-ādayaḥ nāgāḥ ye patākā-maṇḍala-phaṇaiḥ suśobhitāḥ tatra upasthitā bhavanti. Mahānāgaḥ Bhagavān Anantaḥ api tatra sthitaḥ, yaṃ dṛṣṭvaiva jala-svāmi Varuṇaḥ āsanādīni dadāti satkāra-pūrvakaṃ ca tasya pūjanaṃ karoti. Vāsuki-ādayaḥ sarve nāgāḥ añjaliṃ kṛtvā tasya purataḥ tiṣṭhanti, Bhagavataḥ Śeṣasya ājñāṃ prāpya yathā-yogyaṃ āsaneṣu upaviśya tatra śobhāṃ vardhayanti. Yudhiṣṭhira! ete tathā anye’pi bahavaḥ nāgāḥ tasmin sabhāyāṃ kleśa-rahitāḥ mahātmanaḥ Varuṇasya upāsanāṃ kurvanti.
Narada says: Many serpent-lords—Pāṇimān, the mighty Kuṇḍadhāra, Prahlāda, Mūṣikāda, Janamejaya, and others—adorned with banners, circular emblems, and splendid hoods, are present there. The great serpent, the divine Ananta, is also seated in that assembly; at the very sight of him Varuṇa, lord of the waters, rises to honor him, offers him a seat and other courtesies, and worships him with due reverence. Vāsuki and the other nāgas stand before him with folded hands; then, by the command of the blessed Śeṣa, they take their appropriate seats and enhance the splendor of the hall. O Yudhiṣṭhira, these and many other nāgas dwell there without distress, devotedly attending upon the great-souled Varuṇa. The passage highlights a moral order in which even powerful beings observe hierarchy, humility, and proper hospitality toward the truly venerable.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True greatness is shown through dharmic conduct: honoring the worthy, observing proper hierarchy, and practicing humility and hospitality. Even mighty nāgas stand with folded hands and take seats only by Śeṣa’s command, while Varuṇa himself offers reverence to Ananta—modeling ethical order and respect.
Nārada describes Varuṇa’s splendid assembly where many nāga-lords are present. The divine serpent Ananta is honored by Varuṇa with a seat and worship; Vāsuki and other nāgas respectfully stand before him, then sit in their proper places by Śeṣa’s instruction, serving and adorning the court without suffering.