देवराजेन च पुरा कथितैषा कथा शुभा । समस्तेभ्य: प्रशस्तेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो वसुधाधिप,पृथ्वीनाथ! तत्पश्चात् पूर्वकालमें देवराज इन्द्रने सभी श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणोंके समक्ष यह शुभ कथा कही
devarājena ca purā kathitaiṣā kathā śubhā | samastebhyaḥ praśastebhyo viprebhyo vasudhādhipa pṛthvīnātha |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: O panginoon ng lupa, o tagapamahala ng kaharian, noong unang panahon ay isinalaysay ni Indra, hari ng mga diyos, ang mapalad na kuwentong ito sa harap ng lahat ng kagalang-galang at bantog na mga Brāhmaṇa.
भीष्म उवाच
The verse establishes the authority and auspiciousness of the teaching by tracing it to Indra and to an assembly of eminent Brāhmaṇas, implying that dharma-instruction should be received through respected lineage and learned counsel.
Bhīṣma addresses the king and introduces a forthcoming discourse as an ancient, auspicious story once spoken by Indra before a gathering of venerable Brāhmaṇas, setting the stage for the lesson that follows.