Shloka 23
Vidura’s Message to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: Authorization for Dāna and Public Welfare (विदुरवाक्यम्—दानानुज्ञा)
नारदस्य तु तद् वाक्यं शशंसुद्धिजसत्तमा: । शतसयूपस्तु राजर्षिनरिदं वाक्यमब्रवीत्,उन सभी श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणोंने नारदजीके पूर्वाक्त वचनकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की। तत्पश्चात् राजर्षि शतयूपने नारदजीसे इस प्रकार कहा--
nāradasya tu tad vākyaṃ śaśaṃsuḥ dvijasattamāḥ | śatasayūpas tu rājarṣir idaṃ vākyam abravīt |
Para dwijati yang terunggul memuji kata-kata Nārada itu berulang kali. Kemudian resi-raja Śatasayūpa berkata kepada Nārada dengan kata-kata berikut—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic culture: wise counsel from a sage is received with collective appreciation by learned brāhmaṇas, and a king-sage responds with humility and decorum—showing that ethical instruction is strengthened by respectful listening and measured speech.
After Nārada has spoken, the assembled eminent brāhmaṇas repeatedly praise his words. Then Śatasayūpa, described as a rājarṣi, begins his reply to Nārada, marking a transition from approval of the teaching to a formal response or inquiry.