Shloka 163
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
प्रोवाच वाक््यं स तदा प्रसाद्य शिरसा मुनीन् | उनके ऐसा कहनेपर प्रतापी अगस्त्य उन मुनियोंकों सिरसे प्रणाम करके उन्हें राजी करते हुए इस प्रकार बोले--
provāca vākyam sa tadā prasādya śirasā munīn |
Alors il prit la parole, après avoir apaisé les sages. Le puissant Agastya, la tête inclinée en signe de révérence devant les muni, s’adressa à eux par des paroles de conciliation, rétablissant l’harmonie avant toute parole ou tout acte.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical speech grounded in humility: before asserting oneself or responding, one should first pacify tensions and honor those worthy of respect—here, by bowing to the sages—so that words arise from harmony rather than pride or conflict.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, after the sages speak, the powerful Agastya respectfully bows his head to them, wins their goodwill, and then begins to speak—signaling a transition to Agastya’s reply delivered in a conciliatory manner.