Shloka 3
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
नारद उवाच राष्ट्रे धर्मोत्तरे श्रेष्ठे विदर्भेष्वभवद् द्विज: । उज्छवृत्तिऋषि: कश्निद् यज्ञ यछ्ं समादधे,नारदजीने कहा--जहाँ धर्मकी ही प्रधानता है, उस उत्तम राष्ट्र विदर्भमें कोई ब्राह्मण ऋषि निवास करता था। वह कटे हुए खेत या खलिहानसे अन्नके बिखरे हुए दानोंको बीन लाता और उसीसे जीवन-निर्वाह करता था। एक बार उसने यज्ञ करनेका निश्चय किया
nārada uvāca | rāṣṭre dharmottare śreṣṭhe vidarbheṣv abhavad dvijaḥ | ucchavṛttiṛṣiḥ kaścid yajñaṃ yaṣṭuṃ samādadhe ||
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ଧର୍ମ ଯେଉଁଠି ପ୍ରଧାନ, ସେହି ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବିଦର୍ଭ ଦେଶରେ ଜଣେ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ ଋଷି ବସୁଥିଲେ। କାଟା ଖେତ ଓ ଖଳିହାଣରେ ଛିଟିଯାଇଥିବା ଧାନ୍ୟକଣ ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରି ସେ ଜୀବିକା ଚାଲାଉଥିଲେ। ଏକଥର ସେ ଯଜ୍ଞ କରିବାକୁ ସଙ୍କଳ୍ପ କଲେ।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical ideal: even in poverty, a sage maintains integrity through a non-exploitative livelihood (gleaning what is left) and still aspires to uphold dharma through yajña. It links a righteous society (where dharma is foremost) with individuals who practice restraint and duty.
Narada begins a story set in Vidarbha. He introduces a brahmin rishi who lives by gleaning leftover grains from harvested fields and threshing-floors. The rishi then forms the intention to perform a yajña, setting the stage for the events that follow.