tathā - in that manner; abhiyācitaḥ - being begged; devaiḥ - by the demigods; ṛṣiḥ - the great saintly person; ātharvaṇaḥ - Dadhīci, the son of Atharvā; mahān - the great personality; modamānaḥ - being merry; uvāca - said; idam - this; prahasan - smiling; iva - somewhat; bhārata - O Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

O King Parīkṣit, following the Lord’s instructions, the demigods approached Dadhīci, the son of Atharvā. He was very liberal, and when they begged him to give them his body, he at once partially agreed. However, just to hear religious instructions from them, he smiled and jokingly spoke as follows.