Shloka 4
Deva–Asura–Gandharva–Nāga Vaṃśa-kathana
Genealogies and Partial Descents
या बभूवु: कथ॒त्षित्रा येष्वर्थेषु यथातथम् | त्वत्त इच्छामहे श्रोतुं सौते त्वं वै प्रचक्ष्व न:,जिसका पार होना कठिन था, ऐसे सर्पयज्ञमें आये हुए महात्माओं एवं सभासदोंको जब यज्ञकर्मसे अवकाश मिलता था, उस समय उनमें जिन-जिन विषयोंको लेकर जो-जो विचित्र कथाएँ होती थीं उन सबका आपके मुखसे हम यथार्थ वर्णन सुनना चाहते हैं। सूतनन्दन! आप हमसे अवश्य कहें
yā babhūvuḥ kathāś citrā yeṣv artheṣu yathātatham | tvatta icchāmahe śrotuṃ saute tvaṃ vai pracakṣva naḥ ||
ఓ సౌతీ! ఏ ఏ విషయాలలో ఏ ఏ విచిత్ర కథలు జరిగినవో, అవన్నీ యథాతథంగా నీ నుండి వినదలచుకున్నాము; కనుక మాకు వివరించుము.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes fidelity in transmitting sacred history: the listener-community asks for an exact, undistorted narration (yathā-tatham), highlighting ethical responsibility in preserving and conveying tradition.
Śaunaka, speaking for the assembled sages, requests Sauti to recount the diverse discussions that took place among the eminent participants during intervals of the serpent-sacrifice, asking him to narrate them accurately.