Shloka 31
Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 5 — Karmaphala-Nirdeśa and Phalāśruti (कर्मफलनिर्देशः फलश्रुतिश्च)
सौतिर्वाच एतच्छुत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठा:स राजा जनमेजय: । विस्मितो5भवदत्यर्थ यज्ञकर्मान्तरेष्वथ,सौति कहते हैं--विप्रवरो! यज्ञकर्मके बीचमें जो अवसर प्राप्त होते थे, उन्हींमें यह महाभारतका आख्यान सुनकर राजा जनमेजयको बड़ा आश्चर्य हुआ
sautir uvāca etac chrutvā dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ sa rājā janamejayaḥ | vismito 'bhavad atyarthaṁ yajñakarmāntareṣv atha ||
Sauti said: “O best of the twice-born, having heard this account during the intervals of the sacrificial rites, King Janamejaya was filled with profound astonishment.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power of attentive listening (śravaṇa) to itihāsa: even amid ritual action, hearing the Mahābhārata evokes deep reflection and moral awe, suggesting that wisdom is transmitted not only through rites but through narrative understanding.
Sauti addresses the assembled brāhmaṇas and reports that King Janamejaya, during breaks in the sacrificial proceedings, heard the unfolding account and became greatly astonished at what was narrated.