Shloka 156
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
हसते गायते चैव नृत्यते च मनोहरम् । वादयत्यपि वाद्यानि विचित्राणि गणैर्युत:,वे अपने गणोंके साथ रहकर हँसते हैं, गाते हैं, मनोहर नृत्य करते हैं और विचित्र बाजे भी बजाते हैं
hasate gāyate caiva nṛtyate ca manoharam | vādayaty api vādyāni vicitrāṇi gaṇair yutaḥ ||
Vāsudeva dit : «Entouré de ses serviteurs, il rit et chante ; il exécute des danses charmantes, et joue même de divers instruments de musique merveilleux.»
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights outward enjoyment—laughter, song, dance, and music—performed in company. In the ethical frame of the Anuśāsana Parva, such pleasures are typically evaluated by whether they remain within dharma: moderation, propriety, and the avoidance of conduct that leads to negligence or harm.
Vāsudeva describes a person (implicitly a figure being discussed in context) who, surrounded by his attendants, engages in festive amusements—laughing, singing, dancing attractively, and playing varied instruments—painting a scene of revelry and social entertainment.