Shloka 1
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
ऑपन- मा बछ। अप ऋाल पञज्चचत्वारिशर्दाधिकत्रिशततमोब् ध्याय: भगवान् वराहके द्वारा पितरोंके पूजनकी मर्यादाका स्थापित होना वैशमग्पायन उवाच कस्यचित् त्वथ कालस्य नारद: परमेछिज: । दैवं कृत्वा यथान्यायं पित्रयं चक्रे ततः परम्
Vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | kasyacit tv atha kālasya nāradaḥ parameṣṭhijaḥ | daivaṃ kṛtvā yathānyāyaṃ pitryaṃ cakre tataḥ param ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: At a certain time, Nārada—born of Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā)—performed the rites due to the gods in the proper, scriptural manner; and thereafter he performed the rites due to the ancestors. The narrative underscores the ethical order of ritual duty: honoring the divine obligations first, and then fulfilling one’s responsibilities toward the Pitṛs.
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic prioritization and correctness in ritual life: one should perform duties to the gods according to prescribed rule, and then duly perform obligations to the ancestors—showing disciplined adherence to śāstra and gratitude to both divine and ancestral sources of support.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Nārada, Brahmā’s son, on a certain occasion first completed the proper divine rites and then proceeded to the ancestral rites, setting up the context for discussion of the proper conduct and order of such observances.