Shloka 2
स्त्रीणां माहात्म्यप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into the Excellence of Women
Pativratā-Dharma
राजोवाच ब्रवीतु भगवान् समयमिति,राजाने कहा--भगवन्! आप अपनी शर्त बताइये
rājovāca: bravītu bhagavān samayam iti | rājāna āha—bhagavan! āp āpnī śarta batāiye ||
The king said, “Let the venerable one state the agreed condition.” Addressing the sage with reverence, the king asks him to declare the terms—showing his readiness to proceed within fairness and dharma, not by impulse or coercion.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when seeking a boon, story, or instruction, one should proceed through clear, mutually accepted conditions (samaya) and with reverence—an ethical commitment to fairness, restraint, and dharmic order.
Within Markandeya’s narration, a king speaks and asks the revered person (a sage) to state the agreed terms or condition, indicating the start of an exchange governed by a stipulated rule or vow.