Shloka 42
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
भीष्म उवाच अथ सप्त महाभागा ऋषयो लोकविश्रुता: । वसिष्ठप्रमुखा: सर्वे ब्रह्माणं पच्मसम्भवम्
bhīṣma uvāca atha sapta mahābhāgā ṛṣayo lokaviśrutāḥ | vasiṣṭhapramukhāḥ sarve brahmāṇaṃ padmasambhavam ||
భీష్ముడు పలికెను—అనంతరం లోకవిఖ్యాతులైన ఏడు మహాభాగ ఋషులు—వశిష్ఠాది—ధర్మమర్యాదలు, సదాచార విషయమై మార్గదర్శనం కోరుతూ పద్మజుడైన బ్రహ్మదేవుని సమీపించారు।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes dharmic authority: when questions of right conduct and cosmic order arise, even the greatest sages turn to the highest source of creation and knowledge (Brahmā). It frames subsequent instruction as grounded in venerable lineage and universally recognized wisdom.
Bhīṣma introduces a scene in which the seven world-renowned sages, led by Vasiṣṭha, go to Brahmā, described as lotus-born. This functions as a narrative setup for counsel or revelation that follows.