Shloka 16
Nakula’s Declaration and the Uñchavṛtti Brāhmaṇa’s Superior Merit (Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 92)
इत्येवमुक्ते वचने ततो5गस्त्य: प्रतापवान्
ity evam ukte vacane tato 'gastyaḥ pratāpavān
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Setelah kata-kata itu diucapkan demikian, maka Maharsi Agastya yang perkasa—terkenal dengan kesaktian rohani dan semangat kepahlawanannya—pun (menjawab/bertindak) sebagaimana patut.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a narrative hinge: it highlights that speech has consequences and that a figure of recognized moral and spiritual authority (Agastya) responds after hearing what was said, underscoring attentive listening and responsible action following counsel.
Vaiśampāyana marks the end of a preceding statement ('thus, when these words were spoken') and transitions to Agastya, describing him as 'pratāpavān' (mighty), preparing the listener for Agastya’s ensuing reply or deed.