Shloka 8
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
पितरं परिपप्रच्छ दृष्टलोकपरावरम् | को यज्ञ: सर्वयज्ञानां वरिष्ठोडभ्युपलक्ष्यते
pitaraṁ paripapraccha dṛṣṭa-loka-parāvaram | ko yajñaḥ sarva-yajñānāṁ variṣṭho 'bhyupalakṣyate, niṣpāpa nareśa ||
毗湿摩说道：“他（舒迦）向其父发问——那位能亲见世间高下诸界（过去与未来）的见者：‘无罪之王啊，在一切祭祀之中，哪一种被公认为最为首要？’就此，我将为你讲述一则古老记载：曾有一次，大智者舒迦提婆完成每日仪轨，身心清净，向其父——最胜仙人黑天岛生毗耶娑（能见已往与将来者）——顶礼，并提出此问。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry: among all forms of yajña (sacred duty and offering), which is truly supreme. It emphasizes that ethical and spiritual priorities should be clarified through respectful questioning of realized elders, after personal purification and disciplined practice.
Bhīṣma begins an old illustrative story. Śukadeva, after completing his daily rites and becoming pure-minded, approaches his father Vyāsa, bows, and asks which yajña is considered the greatest among all sacrifices.