Shloka 6
Āstīka-janma: Vāsuki’s Consolation and the Birth/Naming of Āstīka (अस्तीकोत्पत्तिः)
नृपं शिशुं तस्य सुतं प्रचक्रिरे समेत्य सर्वे पुरवासिनो जना: । नृपं यमाहुस्तममित्रघातिनं कुरुप्रवीरं जनमेजयं जना:,तक्षककी विषानि्निद्वारा राजा परीक्षित्के दग्ध हो जानेपर उनकी समस्त पारलौकिक क्रियाएँ करके पवित्र ब्राह्मण राजपुरोहित, उन महाराजके मन्त्री तथा समस्त पुरवासी मनुष्योंने मिलकर उन्हींके पुत्रको, जिसकी अवस्था अभी बहुत छोटी थी, राजा बना दिया। कुरुकुलका वह श्रेष्ठ वीर अपने शत्रुओंका विनाश करनेवाला था। लोग उसे राजा जनमेजय कहते थे
nṛpaṁ śiśuṁ tasya sutaṁ pracakrire sametya sarve puravāsino janāḥ | nṛpaṁ yam āhus tam amitraghātinaṁ kurupravīraṁ janamejayaṁ janāḥ ||
After the king had perished, all the citizens of the city assembled and installed his son—still a mere child—as king. That prince of the Kuru line, famed as a slayer of enemies, was known among the people as King Janamejaya. The verse underscores the community’s duty to preserve lawful succession and political stability even in the face of sudden calamity, placing continuity of righteous governance above private grief.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rajadharma in practice: when a ruler is lost, society must act collectively to uphold legitimate succession and maintain order, ensuring continuity of governance rather than allowing chaos or factionalism.
Following the death of the previous king, the assembled citizens install his very young son as king; the child-king is identified as the Kuru hero Janamejaya, later renowned for destroying enemies.