Shloka 12
Āstīka’s Commission and Approach to Janamejaya’s Sarpa-satra (आस्तीक-प्रेषणं यज्ञप्रवेशोपक्रमश्च)
सुदर्श: सर्वभूतानामासीत् सोम इवापर: । तुष्टपुष्टजन: श्रीमान् सत्यवाग दृढविक्रम:,दूसरे चन्द्रमाकी भाँति उनका दर्शन सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंके लिये सुखद एवं सुलभ था। उनके राज्यमें सब लोग हृष्ट-पुष्ट थे। वे लक्ष्मीवान्ू, सत्यवादी तथा अटल पराक्रमी थे
Janamejaya uvāca |
sudarśaḥ sarvabhūtānām āsīt soma ivāparaḥ |
tuṣṭapuṣṭajanaḥ śrīmān satyavāg dṛḍhavikramaḥ ||
Janamejaya said: “He was pleasing to behold for all creatures, like a second Moon. In his realm the people were content and well-nourished. Endowed with prosperity, he spoke truth and possessed unwavering valor.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights classical standards of righteous kingship: a ruler should be personally admirable, ensure the welfare (contentment and nourishment) of subjects, uphold truth in speech, and maintain steadfast courage—virtues that support dharma and social stability.
Janamejaya describes a praised figure’s qualities, using the Moon as a simile for universally pleasing presence, and then enumerating royal virtues—prosperity, truthful speech, and unwavering valor—along with the well-being of the populace under his rule.