Shloka 20
Āstīka Stops the Sarpa-satra; Royal Closure and Protective Phalaśruti (आस्तीकः सर्पसत्रनिवर्तनम्)
कश्मलं चाविशद् घोरं वासुकिं पन्नगोत्तमम् । स घूर्णमानहृदयो भगिनीमिदमब्रवीत्,सर्पोमें श्रेष्ठ वासुकिपर भयानक मोह-सा छा गया, उनके हृदयमें चक्कर आने लगा। अतः वे अपनी बहिनसे इस प्रकार बोले---
kaśmalaṃ cāviśad ghoraṃ vāsukiṃ pannagottamam | sa ghūrṇamāna-hṛdayo bhaginīm idam abravīt ||
استولت على فاسُكي، سيد النَّاغا وأفضل الحيّات، حيرةٌ مروِّعة. فاضطرب قلبه في صدره، وفي تلك الحال المتزلزلة خاطب أخته بهذه الكلمات—مُشيرًا إلى لحظةٍ يَحجُب فيها الخوفُ والارتيابُ الأخلاقي صفاءَ الحكم قبل الإقدام على الفعل الحاسم.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense fear and inner turmoil (kaśmala) can overtake even the eminent, causing the heart to reel and judgment to waver; ethically, it frames a crisis-point where one must regain clarity before choosing a dharmic course.
Vāsuki, described as the foremost of serpents, is suddenly seized by dreadful confusion and agitation; overwhelmed, he turns to his sister and begins to speak, indicating an impending disclosure or decision prompted by fear.