Shloka 20
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
न मे वागनृतं प्राह स्वैरेष्वपि कुतोडन्यथा । त॑ वै नृपवरं गत्वा दीक्षितं जनमेजयम्
na me vāg anṛtaṃ prāha svair eṣv api kuto 'nyathā | taṃ vai nṛpavaraṃ gatvā dīkṣitaṃ janamejayam ||
«Mi palabra jamás ha proferido falsedad, ni siquiera en momentos de broma; ¿cómo habría de hablar de otro modo en esta hora de peligro? Por eso iré ante el mejor de los reyes, Janamejaya, ya consagrado para el sacrificio de las serpientes, y con palabras auspiciosas lo dejaré tan complacido que el rito del monarca será detenido.»
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) as a non-negotiable ethical discipline: one who has trained speech to avoid falsehood even in jest is fit to use words as a dharmic instrument—here, to avert harm and restrain a destructive ritual.
Āstīka resolves to approach King Janamejaya, who is formally consecrated for the serpent-sacrifice, and to speak in an auspicious, persuasive manner so that the king becomes satisfied and the ongoing rite—threatening the serpents—comes to an end.