Shloka 3
अष्टावक्र-प्रवेशः तथा ब्रह्मोद्य-प्रारम्भः
Aṣṭāvakra’s Entry and the Opening of the Brahmodya
तस्मिन् युगे ब्रह्मकृतां वरिष्ठा- वास्तां मुनी मातुलभागिनेयौ । अष्टावक्रश्वचैव कहोडसूनु- रौद्दालकि: श्वेतकेतु: पृथिव्याम्,उस युगमें कहोड मुनिके पुत्र अष्टावक्र और उद्दालकनन्दन श्वेतकेतु ये दोनों महर्षि समस्त भूमण्डलके वेदवेत्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ थे। वे आपसमें मामा और भानजा लगते थे (इनमें श्वेतकेतु ही मामा था)
tasmin yuge brahmakṛtāṁ variṣṭhāv āstāṁ munī mātulabhāgineyau | aṣṭāvakraś caiva kahōḍasūnur auddālakiḥ śvetaketuḥ pṛthivyām ||
Lomaśa disse: “Naquela era, dois sábios se destacavam como os mais eminentes entre os conhecedores do Veda na terra—Aṣṭāvakra, filho de Kahōḍa, e Śvetaketu, filho de Uddālaka. Eram tio materno e sobrinho, sendo Śvetaketu o tio.”
लोगमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical prestige of śruti-based learning and disciplined sagehood: true eminence is grounded in mastery of sacred knowledge and right conduct, and it is preserved and transmitted through respected lineages and relationships.
Lomaśa introduces two renowned Veda-knowing sages of an earlier age—Aṣṭāvakra and Śvetaketu—identifying their parentage and clarifying their family relation as maternal uncle and nephew (Śvetaketu being the uncle).