Shloka 17
Āśramamaṇḍala-darśana and Ṛṣi-samāgama
Observation of the Hermitage Precinct and the Assembly of Sages
सौतिरुवाच एतच्छुत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठात्स राजा जनमेजय: । पूजयामास तमृषिमनुमान्य पुनः पुनः,सौति कहते हैं--शौनक! विप्रवर आस्तीकके मुखसे यह बात सुनकर राजा जनमेजयने उन महर्षि व्यासका बार-बार पूजन और सत्कार किया
sautir uvāca etac chrutvā dvijaśreṣṭhāt sa rājā janamejayaḥ | pūjayāmāsa tam ṛṣim anumānya punaḥ punaḥ ||
Sauti said: Hearing this from the foremost of the twice-born (Āstīka), King Janamejaya repeatedly honored that sage, showing him reverence again and again.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal: a ruler should respond to truthful, spiritually grounded counsel with humility and reverence, honoring the wise rather than acting from pride or impulse.
After hearing Āstīka’s words, King Janamejaya repeatedly pays respect and honor to the sage, indicating acceptance of the guidance and reaffirming the authority of spiritual insight in royal conduct.