Shloka 31
नारद–शुक संवादः
Impermanence, Svabhāva, and Śuka’s Resolve for Yoga
अथोक्तश्न महाराज राजा गन्धर्वसत्तम: । पृष्टवाननुपूर्वेण प्रश्नमर्थविदुत्तमम्
atho'ktaś ca mahārāja rājā gandharva-sattamaḥ | pṛṣṭavān anupūrveṇa praśnam artha-vid-uttamam ||
Yājñavalkya dit : «Ô grand roi, après avoir entendu ces paroles, le plus éminent des Gandharvas —le roi— posa ses questions l’une après l’autre, dans l’ordre convenable : des questions de la plus haute portée, posées par un homme qui en saisit le sens. Alors je dis au roi des Gandharvas : “Ô roi, tu as soulevé, successivement, d’excellentes questions. Tu en connais la teneur. Attends un instant ; pendant ce temps je réfléchirai à tes questions.” Disant : “Fort bien”, le roi gandharva demeura assis en silence.»
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models disciplined inquiry and responsible speech: even a wise teacher pauses to reflect before answering weighty questions, emphasizing that ethical and dharmic matters require careful deliberation rather than impulsive replies.
After prior discussion, the Gandharva king (Viśvāvasu) asks a series of well-ordered questions. Yājñavalkya praises the questions and the questioner’s discernment, requests time to consider, and the Gandharva king agrees and sits silently.