Shloka 40
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तस्मिन् वृक्षे नर: कश्चिदिन्धनार्थाय पार्थिव । विचिन्वन् पूर्वमारूढ: शुष्कशाखां वनस्पतौ
tasmin vṛkṣe naraḥ kaścid indhanārthāya pārthiva | vicinvan pūrvam ārūḍhaḥ śuṣkaśākhāṁ vanaspatau ||
ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ସେହି ଗଛରେ ଜଣେ ମଣିଷ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଚଢ଼ି, ଇନ୍ଧନ ପାଇଁ ଶୁଖିଲା ଡାଳ ଖୋଜୁଥିଲା।
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ordinary actions done for basic needs can become the starting point for far-reaching consequences; the epic often highlights how unintended involvement arises from simple, practical choices, urging attentiveness and responsibility.
Janamejaya is being told that, at the relevant spot, a man had already climbed a tree to collect dry firewood; this detail prepares the setting for the forthcoming encounter and chain of events involving other major figures.