Shloka 10
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
आस्तीकस्य पिता हासीत् प्रजापतिसम: प्रभु: । ब्रह्मचारी यताहारस्तपस्युग्रे रत: सदा,आस्तीकके पिता प्रजापतिके समान प्रभावशाली थे। ब्रह्मचारी होनेके साथ ही उन्होंने आहारपर भी संयम कर लिया था। वे सदा उग्र तपस्यामें संलग्न रहते थे
āstīkasya pitā hāsīt prajāpatisamaḥ prabhuḥ | brahmacārī yatāhāras tapasy ugre rataḥ sadā ||
Śaunaka said: Āstīka’s father was a powerful man, comparable to a Prajāpati in stature. Living as a celibate student and restraining his food, he remained constantly devoted to severe austerities—an image of disciplined self-mastery and spiritual authority.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic self-governance: celibacy (brahmacarya), restraint in food (yatāhāra), and steadfast austerity (tapas) are presented as sources of spiritual power and moral authority.
Śaunaka describes Āstīka’s father as an exceptionally powerful, Prajāpati-like figure, emphasizing his ascetic lifestyle—celibacy, dietary restraint, and constant engagement in intense penance—to frame the spiritual pedigree behind Āstīka.