Shloka 19
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
सौतिरुवाच एतच्छुत्वा प्रीयमाणा: समेता ये तत्रासन् पन्नगा वीतमोहा: । आस्तीके वै प्रीतिमन्तो बभूवु- रूचुश्वैनं वरमिष्टं वृणीष्व,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--शौनक! सर्पसत्रसे बचे हुए जो-जो नाग मोहरहित हो उस समय वासुकि नागके यहाँ उपस्थित थे, वे सब आस्तीकके मुखसे उस यज्ञके बंद होनेका समाचार सुनकर बड़े प्रसन्न हुए। आस्तीकपर उनका प्रेम बहुत बढ़ गया और वे उनसे बोले --वत्स! तुम कोई अभीष्ट वर माँग लो'
Sautir uvāca—etac chrutvā prīyamāṇāḥ sametā ye tatrāsan pannagā vītamohāḥ | āstīke vai prītimanto babhūvur ūcuś cainaṁ varam iṣṭaṁ vṛṇīṣva ||
Ugraśravas (Sauti) said: Hearing this, the serpents who had gathered there—now freed from delusion—were filled with joy. Their affection for Āstīka grew, and they said to him, “Dear child, choose a boon you desire.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a crisis is resolved through dharma and restraint, fear gives way to clarity (vīta-moha) and gratitude; ethical intervention can halt destructive momentum and restore harmony.
After hearing that the snake-sacrifice has been stopped, the assembled Nāgas rejoice, become deeply affectionate toward Āstīka, and invite him to choose a desired boon.