Shloka 7
Deva–Asura–Gandharva–Nāga Vaṃśa-kathana
Genealogies and Partial Descents
श्रावयामास विधिवत् तदा कर्मान्तरे तु सः । तामहं विधिवत पुण्यां श्रोतुमिच्छामि वै कथाम्,शौनकजी बोले--सूतनन्दन! महाभारत नामक इतिहास तो पाण्डवोंके यशका विस्तार करनेवाला है। सर्पयज्ञके विभिन्न कर्मोके बीचमें अवकाश मिलने-पर जब राजा जनमेजय प्रश्न करते, तब श्रीकृष्ण-द्वैपायन व्यासजी उन्हें विधिपूर्वक महाभारतकी कथा सुनाते थे। मैं उसी पुण्यमयी कथाको विधिपूर्वक सुनना चाहता हूँ
śrāvayāmāsa vidhivat tadā karmāntare tu saḥ | tām ahaṃ vidhivat puṇyāṃ śrotum icchāmi vai kathām ||
Śaunaka said: “At that time, during the intervals between the rites, he had it recited in due ritual order. I too wish to hear, in proper manner, that sacred and meritorious narrative.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes vidhivat śravaṇa—hearing sacred history in a disciplined, proper manner. The act of attentive listening to a puṇya-kathā is presented as spiritually meritorious and as the correct way to receive tradition.
Śaunaka expresses his desire to hear the holy narrative as it was recited in due order during pauses between ritual proceedings. He requests the continuation of the properly structured recitation of the sacred account.