Shloka 2
भ्रातरश्नास्य प्रतर्दनी वसुमना: शिवबिरौशीनर इति । स च समाप्तयज्ञो भ्रातृभि: सह रथेन प्रायातू । ते च नारदमागच्छन्तमभिवाद्यारोहतु भवान् रथमित्यब्रुवन्,'अष्टकके तीन भाई प्रतर्दन, वसुमना तथा उशीनर-पुत्र शिबि भी उस यज्ञमें आये थे। यज्ञ समाप्त होनेपर एक दिन अष्टक अपने भाइयोंके साथ रथपर आरूढ़ हो (स्वर्गकी ओर) जा रहे थे। इसी समय रास्तेमें देवर्षि नारदजी आते दिखायी दिये। तब उन तीनोंने उन्हें प्रणाम करके कहा--“भगवन् आप भी रथपर आ जाइये'
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bhrātaraś cāsya pratardanaḥ vasumanāḥ śibir auśīnara iti | sa ca samāptayajño bhrātṛbhiḥ saha rathena prāyātum | te ca nāradam āgacchantam abhivādya ārohatu bhavān ratham ity abruvan |
Vaiśampāyana said: “His brothers—Pratardana, Vasumanas, and Śibi the son of Uśīnara—had also come to that sacrifice. When the rite was completed, Aṣṭaka set out together with his brothers in a chariot, proceeding toward heaven. Just then they saw the divine seer Nārada approaching on the road. Bowing to him, the three said, ‘Revered sir, please mount the chariot as well.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct through reverence and hospitality toward a sage: even while enjoying the fruits of ritual merit (a heavenly journey), the protagonists first honor Nārada and invite him to share their conveyance, modeling humility and respect.
After completing a sacrifice, Aṣṭaka departs with his brothers in a chariot toward heaven. On the way they encounter the divine seer Nārada, salute him, and request that he mount their chariot.