Ādi-parva Adhyāya 97: Satyavatī’s appeal and Bhīṣma’s reaffirmation of satya
ततः कदाचिद् ब्रह्माणमुपासांचक्रिरे सुरा: । तत्र राजर्षयो ह्ासन् स च राजा महाभिष:,तदनन्तर एक समय सब देवता ब्रह्माजीकी सेवामें उनके समीप बैठे हुए थे। वहाँ बहुत-से राजर्षि तथा पूर्वोक्त राजा महाभिष भी उपस्थित थे
tataḥ kadācid brahmāṇam upāsāṃ cakrire surāḥ | tatra rājarṣayo hāsan sa ca rājā mahābhiṣaḥ ||
त्यानंतर एका वेळी देवगण ब्रह्मदेवांची उपासना करण्यासाठी त्यांच्या समीप एकत्र झाले. तेथे अनेक राजर्षी उपस्थित होते आणि त्या दिव्य सभेत राजा महाभिषही होता.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse establishes a dharmic setting: when gods and royal sages assemble before Brahmā, the narrative implies heightened moral accountability—those near sacred authority are expected to embody restraint, humility, and right conduct.
Vaiśampāyana describes a particular occasion when the gods came to serve Brahmā. In that gathering were many royal sages, and King Mahābhiṣa was also present, setting the stage for events involving him.