Shloka 18
आपस्तम्ब उवाच यथा वदन्ति शान्तायां दिशि वै मृगपक्षिण: । पार्थिवी च प्रवृत्तिस्ते तथा जीवति सत्यवान्,आपफस्तम्ब बोले--इस शान्त (एवं प्रसन्न) दिशामें मृत और पक्षी जैसी बोली बोल रहे हैं और आपके द्वारा जिस प्रकार राजोचित धर्मका अनुष्ठान हो रहा है, उसके अनुसार यह कहा जा सकता है कि सत्यवान् जीवित है
Āpastamba uvāca: yathā vadanti śāntāyāṃ diśi vai mṛga-pakṣiṇaḥ | pārthivī ca pravṛttis te tathā jīvati Satyavān ||
Āpastamba said: “Just as the deer and birds are calling in this calm and auspicious quarter, and just as your conduct proceeds in a kingly and righteous manner, so may it be understood that Satyavān is indeed alive.”
आपस्तम्ब उवाच
Educational Q&A
Righteous, kingly conduct (pārthivī pravṛtti) and the perception of auspicious signs are presented as grounds for confidence and moral reassurance—dharma is aligned with well-being and hopeful outcomes.
Āpastamba interprets the calmness of the surroundings and the natural calls of animals and birds as auspicious, and links these signs with the listener’s proper royal conduct to affirm that Satyavān should be understood to be alive.