Shloka 20
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
अथाष्टक: पुरं प्रायात् तदा सोमपुरप्रभम् | निर्यात्य कनन््यां शिष्याय कौशिको5पि वनं ययौ
athāṣṭakaḥ puraṃ prāyāt tadā somapuraprabham | niryātya kanyāṃ śiṣyāya kauśiko 'pi vanaṃ yayau ||
Then Āṣṭaka set out for the city that shone like Soma’s own abode. Having sent the maiden away to his disciple, Kauśika too departed for the forest. The episode underscores a deliberate turning from worldly ties toward disciplined duty—each person being placed where their protection and rightful course are best secured.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic prioritization: relationships and dependents are not abandoned carelessly but are placed under appropriate guardianship, while the sage proceeds toward a life of restraint. Duty is fulfilled through orderly transfer of responsibility and commitment to one’s chosen discipline.
Nārada narrates that Āṣṭaka travels to a splendid city likened to Somapura. Kauśika, after sending the maiden to his disciple’s care, leaves for the forest—signaling a shift in the story toward ascetic movement and the next stage of events.