Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
स तत्र वारितो द्वा:स्थै: प्रविशन् द्विजसत्तम: । अभितुष्टाव त॑ यज्ञ प्रवेशार्थी परंतप:
sa tatra vārito dvāḥsthaiḥ praviśan dvijasattamaḥ | abhituṣṭāva taṁ yajña-praveśārthī parantapaḥ ||
Ketika Āstīka, brahmana utama, hendak memasuki arena yajña, para penjaga gerbang menahannya. Maka, demi memperoleh izin masuk, Āstīka—penakluk musuh batin seperti nafsu dan amarah—mulai memuji yajña itu.
आस्तीक उवाच
Even when one’s purpose is urgent and righteous, dharma favors restraint and proper conduct: Āstīka does not break protocol but uses respectful praise and appropriate speech to seek entry, reflecting self-mastery and adherence to social-ritual order.
At the sacrificial venue, Āstīka approaches to enter but is stopped by the doorkeepers. Wanting access to the ongoing yajña, he begins to extol the sacrifice so that he may be admitted.