Shloka 2
देयं समाप्ते भगवन् किं च पर्वणि पर्वणि । वाचक: कीदृशश्षात्र एष्टव्यस्तद् वदस्व मे
janamejaya uvāca | deyaṃ samāpte bhagavan kiṃ ca parvaṇi parvaṇi | vācakaḥ kīdṛśaś cātra eṣṭavyas tad vadasva me ||
ಜನಮೇಜಯನು ಕೇಳಿದನು—ಭಗವನ್! ಸಮಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ದಾನ ನೀಡಬೇಕು? ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಪರ್ವದ ಅಂತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನು ನೀಡಬೇಕು? ಮತ್ತು ಈ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ವಾಚಕನು ಎಂಥವನಾಗಿರಬೇಕು—ಅದನ್ನು ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿರಿ.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma in the form of disciplined listening/recitation: sacred study is not merely textual but is completed through proper giving (dāna) and by choosing a qualified, trustworthy narrator. It implies that transmission of the Mahābhārata should be ethically grounded—supported by generosity and guided by a competent speaker.
King Janamejaya, continuing his inquiry to the sage, asks practical details about conducting a Mahābhārata recitation: what donations should be offered at the end of the whole recital and at the end of each parvan, and what qualities the appointed reciter should possess.