Morning fire-rites completed before questioning Suta
Their fires had received the morning oblations when they honored and questioned Suta: 'pratar-huta-hutagnayah' (SB 1.1.5).
Group
Sages of Naimisharanya
नैमिषारण्य के ऋषिगण
Also known as शौनकादयः · Rishis headed by Shaunaka
The Sages of Naimisharanya are the collective assembly of rishis — headed by Shaunaka — who are the questioning audience of the Bhagavata's narration. In the processed verses they began a thousand-year sacrifice for the worlds' welfare (SB 1.1.4); completing their morning fire-rites, they honored the seated Suta and reverently questioned him (1.1.5); and their question about Krishna is called auspicious for the world, gladdening the self (1.2.5). This assembly is the original venue of Bhagavata-hearing.
Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa 1.1.4 — Sanskrit Wikisource (pinned oldid=110172)
Their Krishna-question is world-auspicious
Suta calls their question auspicious for the world, gladdening the self: 'yat krtah krishna-samprashno yenatma suprasidati' (SB 1.2.5).
Sages of Naimisharanya — led by — Shaunaka
The sages are 'headed by Shaunaka': 'rsayah saunakadayah' (SB 1.1.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Sages of Naimisharanya — performed sacrifice at — Naimisharanya
The sages performed (asata) a sacrifice (satra) lasting a thousand years at Naimisha, the field of Animisha, for the sake of heaven and the worlds (SB 1.1.4). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Sages of Naimisharanya — honored — Suta
The sages duly honored the seated Suta before questioning him: 'satkrtam sutam asinam' (SB 1.1.5). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Sages of Naimisharanya — questioned — Suta
Having completed their morning fire-rites, the sages reverently asked Suta: 'papracchur idam adarat' (SB 1.1.5). Evidence: EXPLICIT.
Sages of Naimisharanya — asked about — Krishna
The sages' question was a question about Krishna, by which the self becomes fully satisfied: 'yat krtah krishna-samprashno yenatma suprasidati' (SB 1.2.5). Evidence: EXPLICIT.