Shloka 20

Yugapramāṇa–Kaliyuga-lakṣaṇa–Pralaya-kathā

Markandeya’s Account of Yugas, Kali Signs, and Dissolution

Devanagari script

प्रवेश: केन दत्तो5यमुभयोर्वैन्यसंसदि । उच्चै: समभिभाषन्तौ केन कार्येण घिष्ठितौ

Transliteration

praveśaḥ kena datto ’yam ubhayor vainyasaṃsadi | uccaiḥ samabhibhāṣantau kena kāryeṇa ghiṣṭhitau ||

Translation

Gautama said: “By whom has this entry been granted to him in the assembly of the descendants of Vena? And for what purpose have the two of them come here, speaking loudly and addressing the court with such insistence?”

Word by Word

प्रवेशःentry, admission

केनby whom?

दत्तःgiven

अयम्this

उभयोःof both (of you two)

वैन्यसंसदिin the assembly of Vainya (Pr̥thu)

उच्चैःaloud, loudly

समभिभाषन्तौ(you) two speak/address (together)

केनby what?/for what reason? (lit. by what)

कार्येणby/for what business, purpose

घिष्ठितौstanding/remaining (here), stationed

Speaker

गौतम उवाच

Characters & Entities

Gautama

Vainya-saṃsad (assembly of the Vainya lineage)

Vena (as ancestor implied by 'Vainya')

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse foregrounds dharmic procedure: access to a royal assembly is not casual but authorized, and public speech in court must be justified by a legitimate purpose. Gautama’s questions emphasize accountability—who permitted entry and what rightful business warrants such loud, insistent address.

What is happening in the narrative?

Gautama, observing a disruption or forceful address in the Vainya assembly, interrogates the situation. He asks who granted admission to the person in question and why two individuals are present, speaking loudly and pressing their matter before the court.