Brāhmaṇa-pūjā, Haviḥ-dāna, and the Vāsudeva–Pṛthivī Saṃvāda
Chapter 34
नारदं प्राउ्जलिं दृष्टवा पूजयान द्विजर्षभान् । केशव: परिपप्रच्छ भगवन् कान् नमस्यसि
nāradaṃ prāñjaliṃ dṛṣṭvā pūjayān dvijarṣabhān | keśavaḥ paripapraccha bhagavan kān namasyasi ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ಒಮ್ಮೆ ದೇವರ್ಷಿ ನಾರದನು ಕೈಜೋಡಿಸಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಕೇಶವ (ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ) ಕೇಳಿದನು—“ಭಗವನ್! ನೀವು ಯಾರಿಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸುತ್ತೀರಿ?”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse foregrounds dharmic etiquette: sincere reverence toward the worthy (especially exemplary Brahmins) is a visible marker of ethical culture, and Krishna’s question frames a reflective inquiry into who truly deserves honor.
Narada is seen with folded hands honoring eminent Brahmins; Krishna notices this act of worship/respect and asks Narada whom he is saluting, setting up an explanation about the proper objects of veneration.