Shloka 8
Mātali’s Proposal for Guṇakeśī and Sumukha’s Audience with Indra
कोई दो सिरवाले, कोई पाँच सिरवाले और कोई सात मुखवाले होते हैं। किन्हींके बड़े- बड़े फन, किन्हींके दीर्घ शरीर और किन्हींके पर्वतके समान स्थूल शरीर होते हैं ।।
bahūnīha sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca | nāgānām ekavaṁśānāṁ yathāśreṣṭhaṁ tu me śṛṇu ||
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—“ଏଠାରେ ଏକେକ ବଂଶର ନାଗମାନଙ୍କ ସଂଖ୍ୟା ଅନେକ ସହସ୍ର, ଅନେକ ପ୍ରୟୁତ, ଏପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଅର୍ବୁଦ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଅଛି। କେହି ଦ୍ୱିଶିର, କେହି ପଞ୍ଚଶିର, କେହି ସପ୍ତମୁଖ; କେହିଙ୍କର ବଡ଼ ବଡ଼ ଫଣ, କେହିଙ୍କର ଦୀର୍ଘ ଶରୀର, ଆଉ କେହିଙ୍କର ପର୍ବତସମ ଥୁଲ ଦେହ। ଏବେ ମୁଁ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି ଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠକ୍ରମରେ ସଂକ୍ଷେପରେ ପରିଚୟ ଦେଉଛି—ଶୁଣ।”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the vastness and diversity of creation and lineages, and models orderly transmission of knowledge: one should present complex information systematically—starting with what is foremost—so that listeners can grasp it without confusion.
Nārada introduces a catalog-like account of the Nāgas, stating that their numbers are immense even within single clans, and he prepares the audience to hear a concise description arranged by precedence.