Shloka 9
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
स क्षिप्रमुदकं स्पृष्टवा रोषादिदमुवाच ह । पितरं तेडभिसंधाय तेजसा प्रज्वलन्निव
sa kṣipram udakaṁ spṛṣṭvā roṣād idam uvāca ha | pitaraṁ teḍabhisaṁdhāya tejasā prajvalann iva ||
Having quickly touched water (as a ritual act), he spoke these words in anger. Fixing his intent upon your father, he seemed to blaze with fiery energy—his wrath taking on the force of a vow and a curse-like resolve.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger, when joined with ritualized resolve and personal power (tejas), can harden into punitive intent. Ethically, it warns that righteous procedure (ritual purity) does not by itself purify motivation; inner restraint is essential for dharma.
A character, inflamed with anger, performs the quick ritual act of touching water and then speaks with his intention fixed upon the listener’s father, appearing to blaze with spiritual heat—signaling an imminent harsh declaration or retaliatory action.