Shloka 21
Nāga-prādhānya-nāma-kathana
Principal Nāga Names Enumerated
एवमुक्ता: कश्यपेन वालखिल्यास्तपोधना: । प्रत्यूचुरभिसम्पूज्य मुनिश्रेष्ठ प्रजापतिम्,महर्षि कश्यपके ऐसा कहनेपर तपस्याके धनी वालखिल्य मुनि उन मुनिश्रेष्ठ प्रजापतिका सत्कार करके बोले
evamuktāḥ kaśyapena vālakhilyās tapodhanāḥ | pratyūcur abhisampūjya muniśreṣṭhaṁ prajāpatiṁ maharṣiṁ kaśyapam ||
Cuando Kaśyapa hubo hablado así, los sabios Vālakhilya—ricos en poder ascético—honraron primero al más excelso de los videntes, al Prajāpati, el gran Ṛṣi Kaśyapa, y luego respondieron.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before replying—especially to a revered elder or teacher—one should first show due honor. The verse models disciplined speech grounded in tapas and dharmic etiquette.
After Kaśyapa addresses them, the Vālakhilya sages respectfully honor him as the foremost sage and Prajāpati, and then give their response.