Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 50
ब्राह्मणपूजायां व्युष्टिः — Vyuṣṭi (Merit-Outcome) of Honoring Brāhmaṇas: Kṛṣṇa and Durvāsā
एवमुक्त: स मुनिभि्नारदों भगवान् मुनि: । कथयामास देवर्षि: पूर्ववृत्तामिमां कथाम्,मुनियोंके ऐसा कहनेपर देवर्षि भगवान् नारदमुनिने यह पूर्वघटित कथा कही
evam uktaḥ sa munibhiḥ nārado bhagavān muniḥ | kathayāmāsa devarṣiḥ pūrvavṛttām imāṃ kathām ||
Được các hiền giả thưa như vậy, bậc thánh Nārada—đấng muni phúc đức, vị thiên tiên (devarṣi)—bèn bắt đầu kể lại câu chuyện này, những việc đã xảy ra thuở trước.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that dharmic understanding is often transmitted through trustworthy lineage: sages inquire, and an authoritative seer responds by citing a precedent (pūrvavṛtta). Ethical instruction is thereby anchored in remembered examples rather than mere opinion.
After the sages speak (or request) something, Nārada is prompted to respond. He begins narrating an earlier, well-known account, setting up the ensuing story as a traditional exemplar meant to guide conduct.