तस्मादेतन्महाबाहो यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि । सांप्रतं सूत कार्त्स्न्येन परं कौतूहलं हि नः
tasmādetanmahābāho yathāvadvaktumarhasi | sāṃprataṃ sūta kārtsnyena paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi naḥ
Therefore, O mighty-armed one, you should explain this properly. Just now, O Sūta, we are seized with intense curiosity to hear it in full.
Ṛṣis (Sages)
Listener: Sūta
Scene: Sages with folded hands leaning forward, earnest faces; Sūta seated on a slightly raised seat, holding a staff or manuscript; the atmosphere of a formal question before a long pilgrimage account.
Dharma is learned through humble inquiry and complete listening to authoritative tradition-bearers.
None yet; it is a framing verse preparing for tīrtha-related exposition.
No ritual instruction; it requests a comprehensive teaching.