Shloka 6
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
केनैष धर्म: कथितो देवेन ऋषिणापि वा
Janamejaya uvāca | kenaiṣa dharmaḥ kathito devena ṛṣiṇāpi vā, bhagavan? asya bhaktirūpasya dharmasya kaḥ devatā vā ṛṣiḥ vā upadeṣṭā? ananya-bhaktānāṃ jīvanacaryā kā? sa ca kadā prācīnaḥ pravṛttaḥ? mama saṃśayaṃ nivāraya; etad-viṣayaṃ śrotuṃ mama manasi mahān autkaṇṭhyaḥ ||
जनमेजय उवाच— भगवन्! केनैष धर्मः कथितो देवेन ऋषिणापि वा? कः प्रथमं भक्तिरूपं धर्ममिमं व्याजहार? अनन्यभक्तानां का जीवनचर्या, कदा चायं परम्परा प्रवृत्ता? एतन्मे संशयं निवारय; अस्मिन्विषये श्रोतुं मम मनः परमोत्कण्ठितम्।
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a doctrinal inquiry: devotion-centered dharma (bhakti-rūpa dharma) is to be understood through its authoritative source (deva or ṛṣi), its practical expression (the conduct of ananya-bhaktas), and its historical continuity (since when it has been practiced).
King Janamejaya addresses the revered narrator/teacher and asks for clarification about a tradition of exclusive devotion—who taught it first, how its followers live, and how ancient it is—requesting that his doubt be dispelled due to his strong eagerness to hear.