Shloka 17
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
तथेत्युकत्वा प्रदुद्राव तदा55स्तीको मुदा युतः । कृत्वा स्वकार्यमतुलं तोषयित्वा च पार्थिवम्,आस्तीकने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक “बहुत अच्छा” कहकर राजाकी प्रार्थना स्वीकार कर ली और अपने अनुपम कार्यका साधन करके राजाको संतुष्ट करनेके पश्चात् वहाँसे शीघ्रतापूर्वक प्रस्थान किया
tathety uktvā pradudrāva tadāstīko mudā yutaḥ | kṛtvā svakāryam atulaṃ toṣayitvā ca pārthivam |
“So be it,” said Āstīka, and at once he hurried away, filled with joy. Having accomplished his incomparable purpose and having satisfied the king, he departed swiftly from that place—his request accepted and his mission fulfilled in a manner that upheld righteousness and restraint.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint and ethical closure: once a righteous aim is achieved and the ruler is duly satisfied, one should depart without clinging to reward or prolonging conflict—acting decisively, respectfully, and with self-control.
Śaunaka narrates that Āstīka accepts the king’s assent (“So be it”), completes his extraordinary purpose (connected with halting the destructive snake-sacrifice), pleases the king, and then quickly leaves the scene.