व्यासशिष्यः पुराणज्ञो समः हर्षणसंज्ञकः । तान्प्रणम्य यथान्यायं मुनीनुपविवेश सः । उपविष्टो यथान्यायं मुनीनां वचनेन सः
vyāsaśiṣyaḥ purāṇajño samaḥ harṣaṇasaṃjñakaḥ | tānpraṇamya yathānyāyaṃ munīnupaviveśa saḥ | upaviṣṭo yathānyāyaṃ munīnāṃ vacanena saḥ
Dia ialah murid Vyāsa, mengetahui Purāṇa, berwatak seimbang, dan dikenali dengan nama Harṣaṇa. Setelah bersujud memberi hormat kepada para resi itu menurut adab, dia pun duduk dekat mereka; dan setelah duduk menurut tatacara yang wajar, dia berbuat demikian atas permintaan para resi.
Sūta (identified here as Harṣaṇa, disciple of Vyāsa)
Listener: munis
Scene: The sūta bows with folded hands to the seated sages; they gesture to a place of honor. He sits modestly, manuscript bundle at his side, eyes lowered in humility.
Authentic teaching rests on paramparā (lineage) and humility—knowledge is carried by one who bows properly and speaks by elders’ invitation.
No specific tīrtha is praised in this verse; it establishes the authority of the narrator who will expound the māhātmya.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse emphasizes proper conduct (yathā-nyāya) in approaching sages.