Shloka 8
मარკण्डेयागमनम् तथा सत्यव्रत-उपदेशः
Arrival of Mārkaṇḍeya and Counsel on Truth-Vows
आगस्त्याक्ष महाभागा आत्रेयाश्षोत्तमव्रता: । सर्वस्य जगत: श्रेष्ठा ब्राह्मणा: संगतास्त्वया,“आपके द्वारा सुरक्षित हो व्रत धारण करनेवाले ब्राह्मण इस पुण्य वनमें धर्मका अनुष्ठान कर रहे हैं। भार्गव, अंगिरस, वासिष्ठ, काश्यप, महान् सौभाग्यशाली अगस्त्य वंशी तथा श्रेष्ठ व्रतका पालन करनेवाले आत्रेय आदि सम्पूर्ण जगतके श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मण यहाँ आकर तुमसे मिले हैं
āgastya-ākhya mahābhāgā ātreyāś cottama-vratāḥ | sarvasya jagataḥ śreṣṭhā brāhmaṇāḥ saṅgatās tvayā ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ó venturoso entre os venturosos, os brâmanes—os mais eminentes de todo o mundo—reuniram-se ao teu redor: os ilustres sábios da linhagem de Agastya e os Ātreyas, firmes em excelentes votos. Nesta floresta santa, sob a tua proteção, esses brâmanes portadores de votos dedicam-se à observância do dharma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as disciplined practice: the highest Brahmins are defined not by status but by steadfast vows (vrata) and righteous conduct, and their flourishing depends on proper protection and support in a sacred setting.
Vaiśampāyana reports that eminent Brahmin sages—identified by renowned lineages such as Agastya and Atri—have assembled to meet the addressed person, and are performing dharmic observances in the holy forest under that person’s safeguarding.