Shloka 16
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
ततः प्रववृधे गर्भो महातेजा महाप्रभ: । यथा सोमो द्विजश्रेष्ठ शुक्लपक्षोदितों दिवि,द्विजश्रेष्ठ! जैसे शुक्लपक्षमें आकाशमें उदित होनेवाला चन्द्रमा प्रतिदिन बढ़ता है, उसी प्रकार जरत्कारुका वह महातेजस्वी और परम कान्तिमान् गर्भ बढ़ने लगा
tataḥ pravavṛdhe garbho mahātejā mahāprabhaḥ | yathā somo dvijaśreṣṭha śuklapakṣodito divi ||
Thereafter the embryo—radiant with great spiritual power and resplendent in glory—began to grow steadily, just as the moon, O best of twice-born ones, waxes day by day when it has risen in the sky during the bright fortnight. The simile underscores the auspicious, orderly unfolding of life and the fruition of rightful aims through dharma.
तक्षक उवाच