Shloka 175
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
सौतिर्वाच एवमुक्तस्तु विप्रेण स राजा जनमेजय: । अर्चयित्वा यथान्यायं प्रत्युवाच द्विजोत्तमम्,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--विप्रवर उत्तंकके ऐसा कहनेपर राजा जनमेजयने उन द्विजश्रेष्ठका विधिपूर्वक पूजन किया और इस प्रकार कहा
Sautir uvāca—evam uktas tu vipreṇa sa rājā Janamejayaḥ | arcayitvā yathānyāyaṃ pratyuvāca dvijottamam ||
Ugraśravas (Sauti) said: Thus addressed by the brāhmaṇa, King Janamejaya—having duly honored him according to proper rule—replied to that foremost of the twice-born. The passage underscores royal dharma: a king responds to spiritual authority with reverence and lawful hospitality before speaking.
उत्तड्ुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rāja-dharma: a ruler should first honor learned brāhmaṇas properly and in accordance with established norms, then respond—placing reverence, restraint, and lawful procedure before speech or action.
The narrator Sauti reports that King Janamejaya, having been addressed by a brāhmaṇa (here referred to as a foremost twice-born), performs due honors and then gives his reply, marking a formal and respectful exchange.