Shloka 30
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
एतद् दृष्ट श्रुतं चापि यथावन्नपसत्तम । अस्माभिननिखिलं सर्व कथितं तेडतिदारुणम्
etad dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ cāpi yathāvan napasattama | asmābhir nikhilaṃ sarvaṃ kathitaṃ te 'tidāruṇam ||
“O best of the Nāpās, we have told you everything in full, exactly as it was—what we ourselves saw and what we also heard. Though this account is exceedingly harsh and grievous, since you asked, we have spoken it to you without omission.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes truthful, complete reporting: one should speak accurately—grounded in direct observation and reliable hearing—even when the truth is painful, especially when questioned by a responsible authority.
Takṣaka addresses a respected listener and concludes (or underscores) his report, stating that he has narrated the entire matter exactly as witnessed and heard, acknowledging that the content is extremely distressing but was disclosed because it was asked.