Shloka 9
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
ततो हलहलाशब्द: प्रीतिद: समजायत । आस्तीकस्य वरे दत्ते तथैवोपरराम च,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
śaunaka uvāca |
tato halahalāśabdaḥ prītidaḥ samajāyata |
āstīkasya vare datte tathaivopararāma ca ||
Śaunaka said: Then a joyous, heart-gladdening roar of acclamation arose. And as soon as the boon was granted to Āstīka, the rite likewise came to a halt—signaling that the king’s sacrificial action must yield to a righteous request and the protection of life.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even powerful ritual action must be governed by dharma: when a rightful boon is granted to a deserving petitioner, violence and excess are to be restrained, and the community’s joy reflects approval of a dharmic resolution.
Śaunaka narrates that a widespread jubilant cry arose; once Āstīka received his requested boon, the ongoing rite came to a stop—marking a decisive turning point where the proceedings are halted.