Shloka 2
Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya
Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra
पुरा देवयुगे राजन्नादित्यो भगवान् दिव: । आगच्छन्मानुषं लोकं दिदृक्षुबिंगतक्लम:,राजन्! पहले सत्ययुगकी बात है, भगवान् सूर्य ब्रह्माजीकी सभा देखकर फिर मनुष्यलोकको देखनेके लिये बिना परिश्रमके ही द्युलोकसे उतरकर इस लोकमें आये और मनुष्यरूपसे इधर-उधर विचरने लगे। पाण्डुनन्दन! सूर्यदेवने मुझसे उस ब्राह्मी सभाका यथार्थत: वर्णन किया
purā devayuge rājann ādityo bhagavān divaḥ | āgacchan mānuṣaṁ lokaṁ didṛkṣur vigataklamaḥ ||
नारद उवाच—पुरा देवयुगे राजन्, आदित्यो भगवान् दिवः, अक्लान्तः, मानुषं लोकमागच्छत् दिदृक्षुः। स मानुषरूपेण लोकेऽस्मिन् विचरन्, ब्राह्मीं सभां यथातत्त्वं ममाचख्यौ।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral lens: divine beings can witness human conduct, implying that human actions are measured against a broader cosmic order (dharma). The Sun’s effortless descent also highlights the contrast between divine capacity and human limitation, encouraging humility and accountability in worldly life.
Nārada begins a past account: in an ancient divine era, the Sun-god Āditya descends from heaven to the human realm, wishing to observe it, and wanders about in human form. This introduction prepares for a subsequent description of higher assemblies and what was learned there.