Shloka 31
नारद–शुक संवादः
Impermanence, Svabhāva, and Śuka’s Resolve for Yoga
अथोक्तश्न महाराज राजा गन्धर्वसत्तम: । पृष्टवाननुपूर्वेण प्रश्नमर्थविदुत्तमम्
atho'ktaś ca mahārāja rājā gandharva-sattamaḥ | pṛṣṭavān anupūrveṇa praśnam artha-vid-uttamam ||
阎若婆迦说道：“大王啊，闻此言后，那位甘达婆中最卓越者——其王——便依次提出问题：皆为至关重大的诘问，出自真正通达义理之人。我对甘达婆王说道：‘大王，你循序提出的，都是极妙之问；你亦明其旨趣。且稍候片刻，我将思惟你这些问题。’甘达婆王答曰：‘善。’遂默然端坐。”
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models disciplined inquiry and responsible speech: even a wise teacher pauses to reflect before answering weighty questions, emphasizing that ethical and dharmic matters require careful deliberation rather than impulsive replies.
After prior discussion, the Gandharva king (Viśvāvasu) asks a series of well-ordered questions. Yājñavalkya praises the questions and the questioner’s discernment, requests time to consider, and the Gandharva king agrees and sits silently.