Shloka 20
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
अथाष्टक: पुरं प्रायात् तदा सोमपुरप्रभम् | निर्यात्य कनन््यां शिष्याय कौशिको5पि वनं ययौ
athāṣṭakaḥ puraṃ prāyāt tadā somapuraprabham | niryātya kanyāṃ śiṣyāya kauśiko 'pi vanaṃ yayau ||
तब अष्टक उस नगर को चला जो सोमपुर के समान दीप्तिमान था। कन्या को शिष्य के पास भेजकर कौशिक (विश्वामित्र) भी वन को चले गए।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic prioritization: relationships and dependents are not abandoned carelessly but are placed under appropriate guardianship, while the sage proceeds toward a life of restraint. Duty is fulfilled through orderly transfer of responsibility and commitment to one’s chosen discipline.
Nārada narrates that Āṣṭaka travels to a splendid city likened to Somapura. Kauśika, after sending the maiden to his disciple’s care, leaves for the forest—signaling a shift in the story toward ascetic movement and the next stage of events.