śrī rājovāca
kasmin kāle sa bhagavān
kiḿ varṇaḥ kīdṛśo nṛbhiḥ
nāmnā vā kena vidhinā
pūjyate tad ihocyatām
sri-raja uvaca -- the King said; kasmin -- in what; kale -- time; sah -- He; bhagavan -- the Supreme Lord; kim varnah -- having what color; kidrisah -- having what form; nribhih -- by men; namna -- by (what) names; va -- and; kena -- by what; vidhina -- processes; pujyate -- is worshiped; tat -- that; iha -- in our presence; ucyatam -- please speak.
King Nimi inquired: In what colors and forms does the Supreme Personality of Godhead appear in each of the different ages, and with what names and by what types of regulative principles is the Lord worshiped in human society?
It has been clearly established in the previous verses that human life is spoiled if one does not surrender unto the Supreme Lord and engage in His loving devotional service. Therefore the King is now requesting the sages to give specific details about the worship of the Lord because this devotional process has clearly been described as the only practical means of delivering the conditioned soul.
