Shloka 12
Śāṃtanu’s Ideal Rule; Devavrata’s Return; The Satyavatī Marriage Condition and Bhīṣma’s Vow (आदि पर्व, अध्याय ९४)
अष्टक उवाच कस्यैते प्रतिदृश्यन्ते रथा: पठच हिरण्मया: । यानारुह्मु नरो लोकानभिवाऊ्छति शाश्वतान्,अष्टकने कहा--आकाशमें ये किसके पाँच सुवर्णमय रथ दिखायी देते हैं, जिनपर आरूढ़ होकर मनुष्य सनातन लोकोंमें जानेकी इच्छा करता है
Aṣṭaka uvāca: kasyaité pratidṛśyante rathāḥ pañca hiraṇmayāḥ | yān āruhya naro lokān abhivāñchati śāśvatān ||
Aṣṭaka sprach: „Wem gehören diese fünf goldenen Wagen, die man hier erblickt—Wagen, die, wenn ein Mensch sie besteigt, in ihm die Sehnsucht wecken, die ewigen Welten zu erreichen?“
अष्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry into the connection between extraordinary celestial conveyances and the attainment of “eternal worlds,” implying that such destinations are linked to merit and righteous conduct, and that one should seek the cause and ownership behind visible signs of heavenly reward.
Aṣṭaka observes five golden chariots appearing in the sky and asks whose they are, noting that by mounting such chariots a person would aspire to reach everlasting realms—setting up an explanation about their origin and the merit associated with them.