Shloka 2
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
बृहस्पतिश्वोशना च ब्रह्माणं पर्युपस्थितौ । मरुतश्न सहेन्द्रेण वसवश्चाग्निना सह,एक समयकी बात है, बृहस्पति और शुक्राचार्य ब्रह्माजीकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुए। उनके साथ इन्द्रसहित मरुद्गण, अग्नि, वसुगण, आदित्य, साध्य, सप्तर्षि, विश्वावसु गन्धर्व और श्रेष्ठ अप्सराएँ भी वहाँ मौजूद थीं
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Bṛhaspatiś cōśanā ca Brahmāṇaṃ paryupasthitau | Marutaś ca sahendreṇa Vasavaś cāgninā saha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Once, Bṛhaspati and Uśanā (Śukrācārya) stood in attendance upon Brahmā. Along with them were the Maruts with Indra, and the Vasus together with Agni.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
By placing rival counselors—Bṛhaspati (devas) and Uśanā/Śukra (asuras)—together before Brahmā, the verse frames counsel and policy as accountable to a higher dharmic order. Wisdom is validated by alignment with cosmic law, not by factional advantage.
Vaiśampāyana describes a formal gathering in Brahmā’s presence: Bṛhaspati and Śukra attend, accompanied by major divine groups (Maruts with Indra; Vasus with Agni). This sets the stage for an authoritative discourse or decision relevant to the unfolding conflict in the Udyoga Parva.