Shloka 93
Puruṣaikatva-vyākhyāna: The One Virāṭ Puruṣa and the Many ‘Puruṣas’
Rudra–Brahmā Saṃvāda
अपृच्छन् सहिताभ्येत्य वसुं राजानमन्तिकात् । “ये महान् पुरुष वसु शास्त्रके विपरीत वचन कैसे कह सकते हैं।” ऐसी सम्मति करके देवताओं और ऋषियोंने एक साथ राजा वसुके पास आकर अपना प्रश्न उपस्थित किया --
apṛcchan sahitābhyetya vasuṃ rājānam antikāt | "ye mahān puruṣa vasu śāstrake viparīta vacana kaise kaha sakate haiṃ" iti sammatiṃ kṛtvā devatāḥ ṛṣayaś ca ekasāthaṃ rājā vasoḥ samīpam āgatya svaṃ praśnam upasthāpayām āsuḥ ||
Bhishma said: Having conferred among themselves, the gods and the sages approached King Vasu at close quarters and put a question to him. Their shared thought was: “How could a great man like Vasu ever utter words that run contrary to the śāstra?” Thus, with this concern for right conduct and scriptural authority, they came together to seek clarification from the king.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a renowned person’s words are measured against śāstra and dharma; when speech appears to contradict authoritative norms, the proper response is respectful inquiry and clarification rather than blind acceptance.
The gods and sages, having agreed among themselves that Vasu’s statement seems contrary to śāstra, approach King Vasu together and formally present their question to him.