Shloka 27
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
जनमेजयस्य त॑ यज्ञ सर्वे: समुदितं गुणै: । मोक्षाय भुजगेन्द्राणामास्तीको द्विजसत्तम:
janamejayasya taṁ yajñaṁ sarvaiḥ samuditaṁ guṇaiḥ | mokṣāya bhujagendrāṇām āstīko dvijasattamaḥ ||
ಭುಜಗೇಂದ್ರರ ಮೋಕ್ಷಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ದ್ವಿಜಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನಾದ ಆಸ್ತೀಕನು, ಸಮಸ್ತ ಉತ್ತಮ ಗುಣಗಳಿಂದ ಸಮೃದ್ಧವಾದ ರಾಜ ಜನಮೇಜಯನ ಯಜ್ಞಕ್ಕೆ ತೆರಳಿದನು.
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.