Shloka 8

अनुक्रमणिकाध्यायः (Anukramaṇikā Adhyāya) — Invocation, Narrator Frame, and Textual Scope

Devanagari script

एवं पृष्टो5ब्रवीत्‌ सम्यग्‌ यथावल्लौमहर्षणि: । वाक्‍्यं वचनसम्पन्नस्तेषां च चरिताश्रयम्‌

Transliteration

evaṁ pṛṣṭo ’bravīt samyag yathāval lomaharṣaṇiḥ | vākyaṁ vacanasampannas teṣāṁ ca caritāśrayam ||

Translation

Thus questioned, Lomaharṣaṇa replied correctly and in due order. His speech was well-formed and apt in expression, and it rested upon the deeds and life-stories of those (ancient persons), grounding his words in their conduct.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• पृष्टः: having been asked
• पृष्टः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पृच्छ्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• सम्यक्: properly, correctly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक्

• यथावत्: as it was, duly, in due manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथावत्

• लौमहर्षणिः: Lomaharshani (Ugraśravas), the suta
• लौमहर्षणिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: लौमहर्षणि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• वाक्यम्: speech, statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वचनसम्पन्नः: endowed with apt words/eloquence
• वचनसम्पन्नः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वचन-सम्पन्न
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तेषाम्: of them
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• चरिताश्रयम्: based on (their) deeds/acts; having their conduct as its basis
• चरिताश्रयम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चरित-आश्रय
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Characters & Entities

• Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights standards of responsible narration: speech should be correct (samyak), orderly and faithful (yathāvat), and grounded in the exemplary deeds (carita) of authoritative figures—implying that ethical and historical instruction rests on well-attested conduct and careful expression.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being questioned by the assembled listeners, Lomaharṣaṇa begins his response. The text characterizes his reply as eloquent and properly structured, and as drawing its substance from the life-stories and actions of the persons being discussed.