Shloka 19
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
चीर्णव्रतो बाल एव बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वित: । नाम चास्याभवत् ख्यातं लोकेष्वास्तीक इत्युत,वह बचपनसे ही ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतका पालन करनेवाला, बुद्धिमान् तथा सत्त्वगुणसम्पन्न हुआ। लोकमें आस्तीक नामसे उसकी ख्याति हुई
cīrṇavrato bāla eva buddhisattvaguṇānvitaḥ | nāma cāsya abhavat khyātaṃ lokeṣv āstīka ity uta ||
Even from childhood he faithfully observed the vow of disciplined conduct (brahmacarya). Endowed with intelligence and the quality of sattva, he became renowned among people by the name ‘Āstīka’—a figure marked by self-restraint and moral clarity.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral excellence is portrayed as beginning early: disciplined vows (especially brahmacarya), coupled with clear intellect and sattva, lead to lasting good reputation and the capacity to act rightly in critical moments.
Takṣaka describes Āstīka’s qualities and early life: from childhood he practiced strict vows, was intelligent and sattvic, and became widely known by the name Āstīka—setting up his later significance in the serpent-related narrative.