Shloka 2
Āstīka-janma: Vāsuki’s Consolation and the Birth/Naming of Āstīka (अस्तीकोत्पत्तिः)
तं तु नादं ततः श्रुत्वा मन्त्रिणस्ते प्रदुद्र॒व॒ुः । अपश्यन्त तथा यान्तमाकाशे नागमद्भुतम्,तक्षककी फुंकारभरी गर्जना सुनकर मन्त्रीलोग भाग चले। उन्होंने देखा लाल कमलकी-सी कान्ति-वाला वह अद्भुत नाग आकाशकमें सिन्दूरकी रेखा-सी खींचता हुआ चला जा रहा है। नागोंमें श्रेष्ठ तक्षकको इस प्रकार जाते देख वे राजमन्त्री अत्यन्त शोकमें डूब गये
taṃ tu nādaṃ tataḥ śrutvā mantriṇas te pradudruvuḥ | apaśyanta tathā yāntam ākāśe nāgam adbhutam ||
Ao ouvirem aquele bramido, os ministros do rei fugiram de imediato, tomados de pavor. Ainda assim, avistaram a serpente maravilhosa movendo-se pelo céu. Vendo Takṣaka—o primeiro entre os nāgas—partir desse modo, os conselheiros reais foram submersos em luto, pressentindo a força ominosa de sua intenção e o perigo que ela anunciava para o reino.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the approach of destructive intent—especially when backed by extraordinary power—creates fear and moral anxiety in society. It implicitly warns that enmity with potent beings (or forces) can bring collective peril, and that rulers and courts must recognize ominous signs and act with prudence and responsibility.
Takṣaka utters a terrifying roar. The royal ministers panic and run, yet they still see an extraordinary serpent moving through the sky—Takṣaka departing with ominous purpose. Witnessing this, the ministers are plunged into grief, anticipating grave consequences.