Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
सौतिरु्वाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु स राजा जनमेजय: । उवाच मन्त्रिण: सर्वानिदं वाक्यमरिन्दम:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--शौनक! उस समय शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले राजा जनमेजय अपने सम्पूर्ण मन्त्रियोंसे इस प्रकार बोले
Sautir uvāca—etasminn eva kāle tu sa rājā Janamejayaḥ | uvāca mantriṇaḥ sarvān idaṃ vākyam arindamaḥ ||
Sauti disse: “Naquele exato momento, o rei Janamejaya — célebre por subjugar inimigos — dirigiu-se a todos os seus ministros com estas palavras.”
तक्षक उवाच
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal of kingship: before decisive action, a ruler consults qualified advisers. Ethical governance is shown as deliberative rather than impulsive, with responsibility shared through counsel.
Within Sauti’s narration, the scene shifts to King Janamejaya at a critical moment. He gathers and addresses all his ministers, setting up the next portion of the story where their counsel and the king’s decision will drive events.