Shloka 45
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
निः:श्वासमुष्णमसकृद् दीर्घ राजीवलोचन: । मुमोचाश्रूणि च तदा नेत्राभ्यां प्ररुदन् नृप:,वे बारम्बार लम्बी और गरम साँस छोड़ने लगे। कमलके समान नेत्रोंवाले राजा जनमेजय उस समय नेत्रोंसे आँसू बहाते हुए फ़ूट-फ़ूटकर रोने लगे
niḥśvāsam uṣṇam asakṛd dīrgha rājīvalocanaḥ | mumocāśrūṇi ca tadā netrābhyāṁ prarudan nṛpaḥ ||
蓮華のごとき眼をもつ王は、幾度となく長く熱い嘆息を漏らした。やがて悲嘆に呑まれ、両の眼から涙を流し、声をあげて号泣した――聞き及ぶ物語のただ中で、その情はあからさまに溢れ出たのである。
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical humanity expected even of a ruler: true engagement with dharma and history is not merely intellectual but also empathetic. A king’s sensitivity to suffering is portrayed as a sign of moral seriousness rather than weakness.
As the story is being recounted, King Janamejaya becomes overwhelmed. He repeatedly exhales long, heated sighs and then openly weeps, tears streaming from his eyes—showing that what he hears has struck him deeply.