Shloka 9
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
जरत्कारुस्ततो वाक्यमित्युक्ता प्रत्यभाषत । आश्चवासयन्ती संतप्तं वासुकि पन्नगेश्वरम्,भाईके इस प्रकार पूछनेपर तब जरत्कारु अपने संतप्त भ्राता नागराज वासुकिको धीरज बँधाती हुई इस प्रकार बोली
jaratkārus tato vākyam ity uktā pratyabhāṣata | āśvāsayantī saṃtaptam vāsukiṃ pannageśvaram ||
Then Jaratkāru, thus addressed, replied. Seeking to console Vāsuki, the lord of serpents, who was burning with distress, she spoke words meant to steady his mind and restore his courage—an act of familial duty and compassionate restraint in the face of fear.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as compassionate speech: when a leader or family member is overwhelmed by distress, one should respond with reassurance and steady counsel rather than panic, strengthening resolve through empathy.
After being addressed, Jaratkāru answers. She is specifically described as consoling the distressed Nāga-king Vāsuki, indicating a tense situation in which Vāsuki is troubled and she begins to speak to calm him.