Shloka 25
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
धनलिप्सुरहं तत्र यामीत्युक्तश्व तेन सः । तमुवाच महात्मानं तक्षक: श्लक्षणया गिरा,अब तक्षक काश्यपको प्रलोभन देने लगा। उसने कहा--'तुम्हारी जो इच्छा हो, मुझसे माँग लो।” तक्षकके ऐसा कहनेपर काश्यपने उससे कहा--'मैं तो वहाँ धनकी इच्छासे जा रहा हूँ! उनके ऐसा कहनेपर तक्षकने महात्मा काश्यपसे मधुर वाणीमें कहा --
dhanalipsur ahaṃ tatra yāmīty uktaś ca tena saḥ | tam uvāca mahātmānaṃ takṣakaḥ ślakṣaṇayā girā ||
Kāśyapa berkata, “Aku pergi ke sana karena hasrat akan harta.” Mendengar itu, Takṣaka menegur sang mahātma Kāśyapa dengan tutur kata yang halus dan manis, hendak memikatnya: “Apa pun yang kau inginkan, mintalah dariku.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical test: smooth speech and offers of gain can be used to sway even the wise. It cautions that greed (dhanalipsā) and susceptibility to persuasion can compromise right action and steadfastness.
Takṣaka approaches the sage Kāśyapa and, after hearing talk of going for wealth, speaks to him in a flattering, gentle manner—setting up an attempt to lure or bribe him to change his intended course.