Shloka 21
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
वाम्भि्मड्नलयुक्ताभिस्तोषयिष्येडद्य मातुल । यथा स यज्ञो नृपतेर्निवर्तिष्यति सत्तम
vāgbhir maṅgalayuktābhis toṣayiṣye ’dya mātula | yathā sa yajño nṛpater nivartiṣyati sattama ||
“Wahai paman, yang terbaik di antara orang saleh, hari ini akan kupuaskan sang raja dengan kata-kata yang membawa berkah dan terpilih baik, sehingga kurban sang penguasa itu akan dihentikan.”
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical force of auspicious, truthful, and well-timed speech: even in the face of a powerful ritual driven by anger, dharmic persuasion can restrain harm and redirect authority toward compassion.
Āstīka tells his uncle that he will go to the king (Janamejaya) and, using auspicious words, win the king’s satisfaction in such a way that the ongoing snake-sacrifice will be stopped.