Shloka 53
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
आस्तीकस्य पुराणर्षेब्राह्मणस्य यशस्विन: । शौनकजीने कहा--सूतनन्दन! पुरातन ऋषि एवं यशस्वी ब्राह्मण आस्तीककी इस मनोरम कथाको मैं पूर्णरूपसे सुनना चाहता हूँ
āstīkasya purāṇarṣer brāhmaṇasya yaśasvinaḥ |
Dijo Śaunaka: «Oh hijo del Sūta, deseo oír por completo este deleitoso relato de Āstīka, el antiguo ṛṣi y el ilustre brāhmaṇa».
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic value of śravaṇa (attentive listening) to revered tradition: a sincere seeker requests a complete, faithful narration of an exemplary sage’s life, affirming that ethical understanding is transmitted through careful hearing of authoritative accounts.
At Naimiṣāraṇya, Śaunaka addresses Ugraśravas (Sauti), asking him to narrate fully the pleasing and significant story of the renowned brāhmaṇa-sage Āstīka, thereby prompting the continuation of the Āstīka episode within Ādi Parva.