Shloka 23
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
वायुकिरुवाच आस्तीक परिधघूर्णामि हृदयं मे विदीर्यते । दिशो न प्रतिजानामि ब्रह्म॒ृदण्डनिपीडित:
Vāsukir uvāca: Āstīka, paridhaghoṇṇāmi; hṛdayaṃ me vidīryate | diśo na pratijānāmi brahmadaṇḍanipīḍitaḥ ||
Vāsuki dijo: «Āstīka, doy vueltas sin cesar; siento el corazón como si se desgarrara. Oprimido por la vara del brahmán—por la fuerza de la maldición de mi madre—ya ni siquiera puedo distinguir las direcciones.»
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral weight attributed to a curse and the idea that suffering driven by past causes can become overwhelming—yet it also sets the stage for compassionate intervention. It points to dharma as protection of life and relief of the afflicted, even amid powerful ritual forces.
During the crisis of the snake-sacrifice (sarpa-satra), Vāsuki turns to the sage Āstīka in desperation. He describes physical and mental disorientation—dizziness, a heart-rending fear—caused by the crushing force of the curse (spoken of as ‘brahmadaṇḍa’), foreshadowing Āstīka’s role in saving the Nāgas.