Shloka 32
Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 5 — Karmaphala-Nirdeśa and Phalāśruti (कर्मफलनिर्देशः फलश्रुतिश्च)
ततः समापयामासु: कर्म तत् तस्य याजका: । आस्तीकश्चा भवत् प्रीत: परिमोक्ष्य भुजड्रमान्
tataḥ samāpayāmāsuḥ karma tat tasya yājakāḥ | āstīkaś ca abhavat prītaḥ parimokṣya bhujaṅgamān ||
Entonces los sacerdotes oficiantes llevaron aquel rito sacrificial a su conclusión. Y al haber rescatado a las serpientes del peligro de muerte, el sabio Āstīka también se llenó de honda alegría.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful ritual act must remain governed by dharma: when an action—however sanctioned by tradition—threatens indiscriminate destruction, compassion and moral restraint should intervene to protect life.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the priests conclude the sacrificial rite, and Āstīka is pleased because he has successfully delivered the serpents from imminent death.