Shloka 12
Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya
Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra
न वेद परिमाणं वा संस्थान चापि भारत | न च रूपं मया तादूृग् दृष्टपूर्व कदाचन
na veda parimāṇaṃ vā saṃsthānaṃ cāpi bhārata | na ca rūpaṃ mayā tādṛg dṛṣṭapūrvaṃ kadācana ||
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ହେ ଭାରତ! ତାହାର ପରିମାଣ କିମ୍ବା ବିସ୍ତାର ମୁଁ ଜାଣେ ନାହିଁ; ତାହାର ବିନ୍ୟାସ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜାଣେ ନାହିଁ; ଏପରି ରୂପର ସଭାକୁ ମୁଁ ପୂର୍ବେ କେବେ ଦେଖିନଥିଲି।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the limits of even a wise observer’s knowledge when confronted with extraordinary craftsmanship and grandeur; it underscores intellectual humility and truthful speech—admitting what one does not know.
Nārada, speaking to Yudhiṣṭhira (addressed as Bhārata), expresses astonishment at a magnificent assembly hall, stating that he cannot determine its dimensions or arrangement and that he has never seen anything like it before.