Shloka 22
Āstīka Stops the Sarpa-satra; Royal Closure and Protective Phalaśruti (आस्तीकः सर्पसत्रनिवर्तनम्)
दृष्टिभभ्राम्यति मेडतीव हृदयं दीर्यतीव च । पतिष्याम्यवशोड्द्याहं तस्मिन् दीप्ते विभावसौ,“भद्रे! मेरे अंगोंमें जलन हो रही है। मुझे दिशाएँ नहीं सूझतीं। मैं शिथिल-सा हो रहा हूँ और मोहवश मेरे मस्तिष्कमें चक््कर-सा आ रहा है, मेरे नेत्र घूम रहे हैं, हृदय अत्यन्त विदीर्ण-सा होता जा रहा है। जान पड़ता है, आज मैं भी विवश होकर उस यज्ञकी प्रज्वलित अग्निमें गिर पडूँगा
dṛṣṭir bhrāmyati medatīva hṛdayaṃ dīryatīva ca | patiṣyāmy avaśo ’dya ahaṃ tasmin dīpte vibhāvasau ||
Śaunaka said: “My sight reels; my mind seems to grow dull. My heart feels as though it is being torn apart. Today, helpless as I am, it seems I shall fall into that blazing fire.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical and psychological dimension of dharma: intense grief and fear can overwhelm the senses and judgment, and the text candidly depicts this inner collapse to highlight the human cost surrounding ritual action and grave decisions.
Śaunaka describes acute physical and mental distress—dizziness, stupefaction, and a heart-rending anguish—culminating in the fear that he may, in helplessness, fall into the blazing sacrificial fire (Agni).