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 ||
毗湿摩说道:随后,那七位德业卓著、名闻诸界的大仙——以婆悉吒为首及其余诸圣——前往莲华所生的造物主梵天之前,请求就神圣秩序与正当行持之事赐予指引。
भीष्म उवाच
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.