Shloka 7
Adhyāya 26 — Ekākṣara-Brahman (“Om”) and the Hṛdayastha Guru
Inner Teacher
देवर्षयश्न नागाश्चाप्यसुरा श्व प्रजापतिम् । पर्यपृच्छन्नुपासीना: श्रेयो न: प्रोच्यतामिति,एक बार देवता, ऋषि, नाग और असुरोंने प्रजापतिके पास बैठकर पूछा--“भगवन्! हमारे कल्याणका क्या उपाय है? यह बताइये'
devarṣayaś ca nāgāś cāpy asurāś ca prajāpatiṃ | paryapṛcchann upāsīnāḥ śreyo naḥ procyatām iti ||
有一次，诸天、圣仙、那伽与阿修罗同坐于生主（Prajāpati）近前，启问道：“吉祥的主啊！请告知我等何者真为福祉——愿您宣示通往至善之道。”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a classic dharmic inquiry: diverse beings seek not immediate gain but śreyas—true, lasting welfare. It sets up Prajāpati as an authoritative teacher who will articulate the ethical path that benefits all.
Gods, sages, Nāgas, and Asuras assemble and sit near Prajāpati in a posture of discipleship, then formally ask him to declare what is best for them—introducing a didactic discourse on the means to welfare.