Shloka 5
Adhyāya 283: Varṇa-vṛtti, Nyāya-ārjana, and the Decline-and-Restoration of Dharma (वर्णवृत्तिः न्यायार्जनं च)
पृथिव्यामन्तरिक्षे च ये च स्वलोॉकवासिन: । सर्वे प्राजजलयो भूत्वा उपतस्थु: प्रजापतिम्,वह स्थान गन्धर्वों और अप्सराओंसे भरा था। भाँति-भाँतिके वृक्षसमूह और लताएँ वहाँ सब ओर छा रही थीं। धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ प्रजापति दक्ष ऋषिसमुदायसे घिरे हुए बैठे। उस समय पृथ्वी, अन्तरिक्ष तथा स्वर्गलोकके निवासी भी वहाँ जुटे हुए थे और वे सब-के- सब हाथ जोड़कर प्रजापतिको प्रणाम करके उनकी सेवामें खड़े थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pṛthivyām antarikṣe ca ye ca svalokavāsinaḥ | sarve prāñjalayo bhūtvā upatasthuḥ prajāpatiṃ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Those who dwelt on the earth, in the mid-region (the atmosphere), and in the heavenly worlds—all of them, with palms joined in reverence, approached and stood in attendance upon Prajāpati.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic humility and recognition of rightful authority: beings from all realms honor Prajāpati with joined palms and attentive service, implying that ethical order is sustained through reverence, discipline, and proper conduct toward the upholder of creation.
A grand assembly forms: residents of earth, the atmospheric mid-region, and the heavenly worlds gather together and, with hands folded in añjali, approach Prajāpati and stand near him in respectful attendance.