Shloka 2
सोमक–जन्तु उपाख्यानम्
Somaka–Jantu Exemplar: The Quest for a Hundred Sons
लोगश उवाच युधिष्ठिरासीन्रपति: सोमको नाम धार्मिक: । तस्य भार्याशतं राजन् सदृशीनामभूत् तदा,लोमशजीने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! सोमक नामसे प्रसिद्ध एक धर्मात्मा राजा राज्य करते थे। उनकी सौ रानियाँ थीं। वे सभी रूप-अवस्था आदिदमें प्रायः एक समान थीं
Lomaśa uvāca—Yudhiṣṭhira āsīn nṛpatiḥ Somako nāma dhārmikaḥ | tasya bhāryāśataṃ rājan sadṛśīnām abhūt tadā ||
Sumagot si Lomaśa: “O Yudhiṣṭhira, minsan ay may isang matuwid na haring naghari na ang pangalan ay Somaka. O hari, noon ay mayroon siyang sandaang asawa, at halos magkakahawig silang lahat sa anyo at kalagayan.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets an ethical frame by introducing Somaka explicitly as dhārmika (righteous), implying that the forthcoming episode should be read through the lens of dharma and responsible kingship rather than mere curiosity about royal life.
Lomaśa begins a story addressed to Yudhiṣṭhira, introducing King Somaka and stating that he had a hundred wives who were largely similar, preparing the ground for a later development involving lineage, choice, and moral consequence.