Shloka 31
नारद–शुक संवादः
Impermanence, Svabhāva, and Śuka’s Resolve for Yoga
अथोक्तश्न महाराज राजा गन्धर्वसत्तम: । पृष्टवाननुपूर्वेण प्रश्नमर्थविदुत्तमम्
atho'ktaś ca mahārāja rājā gandharva-sattamaḥ | pṛṣṭavān anupūrveṇa praśnam artha-vid-uttamam ||
ヤージュニャヴァルキヤは言った。「大王よ、かく語られしを聞くや、ガンダルヴァの中の最勝者たる王は、順を追って問いを発した。いずれも至高の重みをもつ問いであり、義を知る者の問いであった。そこで私はガンダルヴァ王に告げた。『王よ、汝は次々にすぐれた問いを立てた。汝はその趣旨を知っている。しばし待て。その間、汝の問いを思惟しよう。』王は『よい』と言って、黙して座した。」
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models disciplined inquiry and responsible speech: even a wise teacher pauses to reflect before answering weighty questions, emphasizing that ethical and dharmic matters require careful deliberation rather than impulsive replies.
After prior discussion, the Gandharva king (Viśvāvasu) asks a series of well-ordered questions. Yājñavalkya praises the questions and the questioner’s discernment, requests time to consider, and the Gandharva king agrees and sits silently.