Shloka 8
प्रतीप–गङ्गा संवादः तथा शंतनु–गङ्गा विवाहशर्तिः
Pratīpa and Gaṅgā; Śaṃtanu’s marriage condition
अष्टक उवाच कतिस्विदेव मुनयः कति मौनानि चाप्युत । भवन्तीति तदाचक्ष्व श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम्,अष्टकने पूछा--राजन्! मुनि कितने हैं? और मौन कितने प्रकारके हैं? यह बताइये, हम इसे सुनना चाहते हैं
Aṣṭaka uvāca: katisvid eva munayaḥ, kati maunāni cāpy uta? bhavantīti tad ācakṣva; śrotum icchāmahe vayam.
Aṣṭaka said: “O King, how many kinds of sages are there, and how many forms of silence as well? Please explain this to us— we wish to hear and understand.”
अष्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: spiritual knowledge is approached by respectful questioning about disciplines (modes of sagehood and vows of silence) that cultivate restraint, clarity, and ethical conduct.
In a dialogue, Aṣṭaka addresses a king and asks him to enumerate and explain the categories of sages and the different kinds of mauna (silence/observance), expressing a desire to listen and learn.