Shloka 45
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
निः:श्वासमुष्णमसकृद् दीर्घ राजीवलोचन: । मुमोचाश्रूणि च तदा नेत्राभ्यां प्ररुदन् नृप:,वे बारम्बार लम्बी और गरम साँस छोड़ने लगे। कमलके समान नेत्रोंवाले राजा जनमेजय उस समय नेत्रोंसे आँसू बहाते हुए फ़ूट-फ़ूटकर रोने लगे
niḥśvāsam uṣṇam asakṛd dīrgha rājīvalocanaḥ | mumocāśrūṇi ca tadā netrābhyāṁ prarudan nṛpaḥ ||
कमल-नेत्र राजा बार-बार लम्बी और गरम साँसें छोड़ने लगे। फिर शोक से अभिभूत होकर उन्होंने दोनों नेत्रों से आँसू बहाए और फूट-फूटकर रो पड़े।
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical humanity expected even of a ruler: true engagement with dharma and history is not merely intellectual but also empathetic. A king’s sensitivity to suffering is portrayed as a sign of moral seriousness rather than weakness.
As the story is being recounted, King Janamejaya becomes overwhelmed. He repeatedly exhales long, heated sighs and then openly weeps, tears streaming from his eyes—showing that what he hears has struck him deeply.