Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.72.1-2
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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sabhā
—
royal assembly
Not a private chamber but a full court — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, family. The Lord is consulted in public, before everyone, because a Vaiṣṇava king has nothing to hide from the Lord.
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munibhiḥ
—
by sages
Instrumental plural. The sages encircle Yudhiṣṭhira like protective fire; yet the centre of his attention is not them but Kṛṣṇa. Even sages defer in His presence.
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ācāryaiḥ
—
by spiritual masters
Plural. Yudhiṣṭhira sat among many ācāryas — Droṇa, Kṛpa, Dhaumya — but the ultimate ācārya, Bhagavān Himself, is the one he addresses. Gauḍīyas read this as a quiet teaching: the paramparā culminates in Kṛṣṇa Himself.
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ābhāṣya
—
addressing (Lord Kṛṣṇa)
Gerund — 'having addressed'. The act precedes everything else in the chapter. Before the Rājasūya, before Jarāsandha's death, Yudhiṣṭhira's first action is to speak to Kṛṣṇa.
In the seventy second chapter, Krsna approves of Yudhisthira’s plans, and deliberately taking his permission, has Bhima kill Jarasandha. Yudhisthira, seated properly (asthitah), asked Krnsa while the others were listening. The locative case is used for the listeners to emphasize that Yudhisthira was absorbed in speaking to Krsna.
After several days relaxing, at an appropriate time Yudhiṣṭhira spoke. The word tu indicates another time. It is understood that the Lord had not come to the assembly previously. The word ca indicates that the sons of Yudhiṣṭhira’s brothers were also present. The second ca indicates other elders. He was surrounded by friends also (bāndhavaiḥ). They all gathered at once, because of the nature of the king, because they were constantly attracted to see the Lord who had come with his followers, and because some had been called by the king for advice. He spoke while everyone listened. Or he came down from his throne in order to make an announcement, since it was suitable for his intended praise, and he remained standing there with folded hands (ā—sthitaḥ). He spoke so that others would listen, giving them permission, and to get their assent to his proposal. He spoke with joy (ha).
Not finding the opportunity to inform Kṛṣṇa because of great respect for him, at some moment which was proper, he spoke in the assembly. He was surrounded by sages like Vyāsa, brāhmaṇas like Daumya, other kings like Drupada, vaiśyas who were maternal uncles who desired to fight, brothers like Bhīma and sons and others, teachers like Droṇa, and elders like Bhīṣma and relatives on the men’s side, those related by marriage. All of these people had gathered. They had been called by Yudhiṣṭhira to invite them to the sacrifice. Or they came because they wanted to see Kṛṣṇa with his entourage. Even servants heard (ca). Or in order to make the announcement he descended from his throne, and was situated on the ground (āsthitaḥ) with folded hands. He spoke while others listened to approve. Or while others listened he wanted the Lord to approve of the sacrifice which was necessary to establish Yudhiṣṭhira. Ha indicates joy.
- What good intention of mine has stayed private when speaking it aloud might give it weight?
- Who in my life would I trust as witness to a spiritual commitment?
Picture an assembly hall where every variṇa, every elder, every blood-relative and in-law is hushed — and the king does not turn to his ministers but to Kṛṣṇa. The whole sabhā is a lamp; Kṛṣṇa is the flame it was lit to reveal. Yudhiṣṭhira's first instinct, even surrounded by sages, is to consult the Lord, not the wise.
In the Mahābhārata, whenever a hard decision came before Yudhiṣṭhira, even Vidura — the deepest political mind in Hastināpura — would step aside once Kṛṣṇa was present. The pattern is consistent: brāhmaṇas, ācāryas, family elders all have their place, but the final word belongs to the Lord.
This opening verse of chapter 72 enacts that same instinct on the largest stage Yudhiṣṭhira will ever set.
My note
Source: vedabase.io