Shloka 523
Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya
Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra
ऋषयो बालखिल्याश्षु योनिजायोनिजास्तथा । राजेन्द्र! स्वामी कार्तिकेय भी वहाँ उपस्थित होकर सदा ब्रह्माजीकी सेवा करते हैं। भगवान् नारायण
ṛṣayo bālakhilyāś ca yonijāyonijāś tathā | rājendra! svāmī kārtikeyo 'pi tatraiva samupasthitaḥ sadā brahmaṇaḥ sevāṃ karoti | bhagavān nārāyaṇo devarṣigaṇā bālakhilyā ṛṣayaś ca anye ca yonijā ayoni-jāś ca ṛṣayaḥ tasmin sabhāyāṃ brahmaṇa ārādhanāṃ kurvanti |
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ସେଠାରେ ଋଷିମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଛନ୍ତି—ବାଲଖିଲ୍ୟ ଋଷିମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ—ଏବଂ ଯୋନିଜ ଓ ଅଯୋନିଜ ଦୁଇ ପ୍ରକାର ଋଷି। ସ୍ୱାମୀ କାର୍ତ୍ତିକେୟ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେଠାରେ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହୋଇ ସଦା ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ସେବା କରନ୍ତି। ଭଗବାନ ନାରାୟଣ, ଦେବର୍ଷିଗଣ, ବାଲଖିଲ୍ୟ ଋଷି ଓ ଅନ୍ୟ ଯୋନିଜ-ଅଯୋନିଜ ଋଷିମାନେ ସେହି ସଭାରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କୁ ଆରାଧନା କରନ୍ତି।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic hierarchy and humility: even exalted beings—gods, great sages, and Nārāyaṇa—honor Brahmā through worship and service, showing that true greatness expresses itself as reverence and disciplined attendance in a righteous assembly.
Nārada is describing Brahmā’s celestial assembly hall, listing the eminent attendees—Bālakhilya sages, various classes of ṛṣis (womb-born and non-womb-born), Kārtikeya in constant service, and Nārāyaṇa with the devarṣis—who are engaged in worship of Brahmā.