Shloka 16

इत्येवमुक्ते वचने ततो5गस्त्य: प्रतापवान्‌

ity evam ukte vacane tato 'gastyaḥ pratāpavān

Vaiśampāyana said: When these words had thus been spoken, then the mighty sage Agastya—renowned for his spiritual power and heroic energy—(responded/acted accordingly).

इतिthus
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
एवम्in this manner
एवम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएवम्
उक्तेwhen (it was) said / upon being spoken
उक्ते:
Adhikarana
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
Formक्त (past passive participle), neuter, locative, singular
वचनेin the speech/statement
वचने:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootवचन
Formneuter, locative, singular
ततःthen/thereupon
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः
अगस्त्यःAgastya (the sage)
अगस्त्यः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootअगस्त्य
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
प्रतापवान्mighty, powerful
प्रतापवान्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootप्रतापवत्
Formmasculine, nominative, singular

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana
A
Agastya

Educational Q&A

The verse functions as a narrative hinge: it highlights that speech has consequences and that a figure of recognized moral and spiritual authority (Agastya) responds after hearing what was said, underscoring attentive listening and responsible action following counsel.

Vaiśampāyana marks the end of a preceding statement ('thus, when these words were spoken') and transitions to Agastya, describing him as 'pratāpavān' (mighty), preparing the listener for Agastya’s ensuing reply or deed.