Shloka 22
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
भगवानिव देवेश: शूलपाणिहिरिण्मय: । विवर्धमान: सर्वास्तान् पन्नगानभ्यहर्षयत्,अमित बुद्धिमान् आस्तीक बाल्यावस्थामें ही वहाँ रहकर ब्रह्मचर्यका पालन एवं धर्मका आचरण करने लगा। नागराजके भवनमें उसका भलीभाँति यत्नपूर्वक लालन-पालन किया गया। सुवर्णके समान कान्तिमान् शूलपाणि देवेश्वर भगवान् शिवकी भाँति वह बालक दिनोदिन बढ़ता हुआ समस्त नागोंका आनन्द बढ़ाने लगा
bhagavān iva deveśaḥ śūlapāṇiḥ hiraṇmayaḥ | vivardhamānaḥ sarvāṁs tān pannagān abhyaharṣayat |
Takṣaka said: “Like a blessed lord—radiant as gold, and like Śiva, the divine Lord who bears the trident—he grew day by day; and by his very flourishing he gladdened all those serpents.” (In context, the passage goes on to say that Āstīka, even in childhood, stayed there observing brahmacarya and righteous conduct, was carefully nurtured in the Nāga-king’s abode, and as he matured he increased the joy of the Nāgas.)
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal that disciplined conduct (brahmacarya) and dharmic living, even from childhood, create harmony and joy in a community; growth grounded in virtue becomes a source of welfare for others.
Takṣaka describes a boy—Āstīka—being raised among the Nāgas. As he grows, radiant and admirable like Śiva, his presence and progress delight all the serpents; the surrounding prose emphasizes his careful nurturing and his observance of brahmacarya and dharma.