Shloka 28
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
स गत्वापश्यदास्तीको यज्ञायतनमुत्तमम् | वृतं सदस्यैर्बहुभि: सूर्यवल्निसमप्रभै:,वहाँ पहुँचकर आस्तीकने परम उत्तम यज्ञमण्डप देखा, जो सूर्य और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी अनेक सदस्योंसे भरा हुआ था
sa gatvāpaśyad āstīko yajñāyatanam uttamam | vṛtaṃ sadasyair bahubhiḥ sūryāgnisamaprabhaiḥ ||
Dort angekommen, erblickte Āstīka die überaus vortreffliche Opferstätte. Sie war erfüllt von vielen versammelten Offizianten und Ältesten, strahlend wie Sonne und Feuer.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immense authority and intensity of Vedic ritual—yet implicitly prepares for the idea that dharma also includes compassion and the protection of life, even when confronting powerful institutions and assemblies.
Āstīka arrives at the sacrificial venue and sees the splendid yajña-hall packed with many radiant ritual participants, setting the stage for his forthcoming intervention in the serpent-sacrifice episode.