Shloka 20
रूपवान् सुभगो दान्त: सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रिय: । दानमानगृहीतश्न कार्यो भवति वाचक:,जो बाहर-भीतरसे पवित्र, शीलवानू, सदाचारी, शुद्ध वस्त्र धारण करनेवाला, जितेन्द्रिय, संस्कारसम्पन्न, सम्पूर्ण शास्त्रोंका तत्त्वज्ञ, श्रद्धालू, दोषदृष्टिसे रहित, रूपवान्, सौभाग्यशाली, मनको वशगमें रखनेवाला, सत्यवादी और जितेन्द्रिय हो, ऐसे विद्वान् पुरुषको दान और मानसे अनुगृहीत करके वाचक बनाना चाहिये
rūpavān subhago dāntaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ | dānamānagṛhītaś ca kāryo bhavati vācakaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “One who is handsome and fortunate, self-restrained, truthful, and master of the senses—such a learned man, honored and supported with gifts and respect, should be appointed as the reciter (vācaka).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a public expounder/reciter of sacred narrative should be ethically qualified—truthful, disciplined, and self-mastered—and that society should support such a person with gifts and honor, linking moral authority with responsible patronage.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a normative guideline is stated: the proper person to be installed as a vācaka (reciter of śāstra/itihāsa) is one marked by virtue and self-restraint, and he should be formally encouraged through respect and material support.