Shloka 120
Dhaumya’s Enumeration of Eastern Tīrthas
Prācī-diś Tīrtha-kathana
असितो देवलश्नैव मार्कण्डेयो5थ गालव: । भरद्वाजो वसिष्ठश्न मुनिरुद्दालकस्तथा
asito devalaś caiva mārkaṇḍeyo ’tha gālavaḥ | bharadvājo vasiṣṭhaś ca munir uddālakas tathā ||
“Asita dan Devala, juga Mārkaṇḍeya; kemudian Gālava; Bharadvāja dan Vasiṣṭha; serta sang muni Uddālaka.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the Mahabharata’s reliance on rishis as custodians of dharma: by invoking a lineage of renowned sages, the text frames moral and narrative authority as grounded in ascetic discipline, learning, and tradition.
Narada is reciting a list of eminent sages. Such catalogues typically introduce or validate a discussion by situating it within a respected circle of seers whose testimony, presence, or teachings carry ethical weight.