Shloka 10
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
स यज्ञ: पाण्डवेयस्य राज्ञ: पारिक्षितस्य ह । प्रीतिमांश्षाभवद् राजा भारतो जनमेजय:,जनमेजयके द्वारा आस्तीकको यह वरदान प्राप्त होते ही सब ओर प्रसन्नता बढ़ानेवाली हर्षध्वनि छा गयी और पाण्डववंशी महाराज जनमेजयका वह यज्ञ बंद हो गया। ब्राह्मणको वर देकर भरतवंशी राजा जनमेजयको भी प्रसन्नता हुई
sa yajñaḥ pāṇḍaveyasya rājñaḥ pārīkṣitasya ha | prītimān abhavad rājā bhārato janamejayaḥ ||
Śaunaka said: That sacrifice of King Janamejaya—descendant of Parīkṣit and of the Pāṇḍava line—became a source of satisfaction and gladness for him. When Āstīka’s boon was granted, joyful acclaim rose on every side, and Janamejaya’s serpent-sacrifice came to its close; the Bharata king was pleased after honoring the brāhmaṇa with a gift.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when driven by inherited grief and anger, a ruler’s dharma is fulfilled by restraint and honoring righteous counsel; ending a destructive rite after granting a boon reflects ethical kingship and respect for brāhmaṇas and truth.
After Āstīka receives a boon and intervenes, the atmosphere turns celebratory and Janamejaya’s serpent-sacrifice is brought to an end; the king, a descendant of Parīkṣit and the Pāṇḍavas, feels satisfied after giving the brāhmaṇa his due.