Shloka 23
यमसभावर्णनम् (Yamasabhā-varṇanam) — Nārada’s Description of Dharmarāja’s Assembly
धृतराष्ट्रश्ैकशतमशीतिर्जनमेजया: । शतं च ब्रह्मुदत्तानां वीरिणामीरिणां शतम्
dhṛtarāṣṭraś caikaśatam aśītir janamejayāḥ | śataṃ ca brahmadattānāṃ vīriṇām īriṇāṃ śatam ||
Nārada berkata: “Wahai Janamejaya, Dhṛtarāṣṭra memiliki seratus delapan puluh putra; dan di antara kaum Brahmadatta pun ada seratus—para kesatria yang termasyhur karena tenaga dan keberaniannya.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a genealogical notice highlighting how dynastic power can be measured in numbers and martial reputation, while implicitly cautioning that true stability depends on dharma rather than mere lineage-size or strength.
Nārada is recounting lineage and numerical details to King Janamejaya, listing Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s progeny and noting a group called the Brahmadattas, described as vigorous and formidable.