Shloka 27
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
जनमेजयस्य त॑ यज्ञ सर्वे: समुदितं गुणै: । मोक्षाय भुजगेन्द्राणामास्तीको द्विजसत्तम:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--तदनन्तर नागराज वासुकिके भयंकर चिन्ता-ज्वरको दूर कर और उसे अपने ऊपर लेकर द्विजश्रेष्ठ आस्तीक बड़ी उतावलीके साथ नागराज वासुकि आदिको प्राण-संकटसे छुड़ानेके लिये राजा जनमेजयके उस सर्पयज्ञमें गये, जो समस्त उत्तम गुणोंसे सम्पन्न था
janamejayasya taṁ yajñaṁ sarvaiḥ samuditaṁ guṇaiḥ | mokṣāya bhujagendrāṇām āstīko dvijasattamaḥ ||
Āstīka said: “For the liberation of the lordly serpents, the best of Brahmins, Āstīka, went to King Janamejaya’s sacrifice—an undertaking endowed with every excellent quality.”
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a grand ritual, though praised for its ‘excellent qualities,’ must be guided by compassion and restraint; Āstīka’s purpose is deliverance (mokṣa) and protection of beings endangered by a vengeful rite.
Āstīka, described as the foremost Brahmin, goes to King Janamejaya’s ongoing serpent-sacrifice with the aim of securing the release of the nāga chiefs, setting up his role as the intercessor who will halt the destruction of the serpents.