Shloka 18

Āstīka Stops the Sarpa-satra; Royal Closure and Protective Phalaśruti (आस्तीकः सर्पसत्रनिवर्तनम्)

Devanagari script

सौतिर्वाच एवमाश्वासितस्तेन तत: स भुजगोत्तम: । उवास भवने तस्मिज्छक्रस्य मुदित: सुखी,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--इन्द्रके इस प्रकार आश्वासन देनेपर सर्पोमें श्रेष्ठ तक्षक उस इन्द्रभवनमें ही सुखी एवं प्रसन्न होकर रहने लगा

Transliteration

sautir uvāca evam āśvāsitas tena tataḥ sa bhujagottamaḥ | uvāsa bhavane tasmiñ chakrasya muditaḥ sukhī ||

Translation

Sauti said: Thus reassured by him, Takṣaka—the foremost among serpents—then dwelt in that very mansion of Śakra (Indra), living there happily and with a glad heart. The episode underscores how fear can be calmed by a pledge of protection, and how refuge under a powerful protector can restore confidence and stability.

Word by Word

सौतिःSauti (Ugraśravas), the narrator

उवाचsaid

एवम्thus

आश्वासितःreassured, consoled

तेनby him (by Indra)

ततःthen, thereafter

सःhe

भुजग-उत्तमःthe best of serpents

उवासdwelt, stayed

भवनेin the house/palace

तस्मिन्in that

शक्रस्यof Śakra (Indra)

मुदितःglad, delighted

सुखीhappy

Speaker

शौनक उवाच

Characters & Entities

Ugraśravas (Sauti)

Takṣaka

Śakra (Indra)

Indra's mansion/abode (Śakra-bhavana)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Reassurance and protection—especially when offered by a capable guardian—can dispel fear and restore well-being; seeking lawful refuge under a protector is portrayed as a stabilizing response to danger.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being consoled and assured (by Indra/Śakra), Takṣaka, chief among serpents, remains in Indra’s own residence, living there happily and contentedly.