Shloka 22
ययातिः शर्मिष्ठायाः ऋतुप्रार्थनां धर्मसंवादं च शृणोति
Yayāti and Śarmiṣṭhā: request in ṛtu and discourse on truth and dharma
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य देवा इन्द्रपुरोगमा: । बृहस्पतिं सभाज्येदं कचं वचनमन्रुवन्,उन्हें आया देख इन्द्रादि देवता बृहस्पतिजीकी सेवामें उपस्थित हो कचसे यह वचन बोले
tam āgatam abhiprekṣya devā indrapurogamāḥ | bṛhaspatiṁ sabhājyedaṁ kacaṁ vacanam abruvan ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing Kaca arrive, the gods—led by Indra—first honored Bṛhaspati with due reverence, and then addressed Kaca with these words. The scene underscores proper hierarchy and gratitude: even in urgency, one begins by honoring the teacher and the source of sacred counsel before speaking of one’s request or purpose.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dhārmic conduct in speech and action: one should honor the guru/elder (here Bṛhaspati) and acknowledge rightful authority before making requests or delivering important words. Respect for the teacher is presented as a prerequisite for proper counsel and ethical decision-making.
Kaca arrives before the gods. Indra and the other devas, upon seeing him, first pay respects to their preceptor Bṛhaspati and then begin speaking to Kaca, setting up the next exchange in the Kaca episode.