Mahabharata — Sabha Parva, Shloka 7
अर्हणनिर्णयः
Decision on the Highest Honor at the Assembly
केचिद् धर्मार्थकुशला: केचित् तत्र महाव्रता: । रेमिरे कथयन्तश्न सर्वभाष्यविदां वरा:
kechid dharmārthakuśalāḥ kechit tatra mahāvratāḥ | remire kathayantaś ca sarvabhāṣyavidāṁ varāḥ ||
Di antara mereka, ada yang sangat mahir menimbang perkara dharma dan artha; ada pula yang menegakkan laku tapa berupa mahāvrata. Maka para resi utama—terkemuka di antara para penafsir—bersuka cita dalam percakapan, menuturkan kisah-kisah elok dan nasihat yang mendidik, menyenangkan diri mereka sendiri sekaligus menggembirakan yang lain.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True excellence in an assembly is shown by mastery of dharma (ethical judgment) and artha (practical welfare), joined with self-discipline (great vows). Such learning should express itself as beneficial speech—stories and counsel that uplift both speaker and listener.
Vaiśampāyana describes a gathering where different kinds of eminent men are present—some expert in ethical and political discernment, others devoted to austere vows—and they spend their time in learned, pleasing conversation that educates and delights.