Shloka 30
स प्राप्य यज्ञायतनं वरिष्ठ द्विजोत्तम: पुण्यकृतां वरिष्ठ: । तुष्टाव राजानमनन्तकीर्ति- मृत्विक्सदस्यांश्व तथैव चाग्निम्,इस प्रकार उस परम उत्तम यज्ञमण्डपके निकट पहुँचकर पुण्यवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ विप्रवर आस्तीकने अक्षय कीर्तिसे सुशोभित यजमान राजा जनमेजय, ऋत्विजों, सदस्यों तथा अग्निदेवका स्तवन आरम्भ किया
sa prāpya yajñāyatanaṃ variṣṭha dvijottamaḥ puṇyakṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ | tuṣṭāva rājānam anantakīrtim ṛtviksadasyāṃś ca tathaiva cāgnim ||
Tendo alcançado o excelente recinto sacrificial, Āstīka—o primeiro entre os brâmanes e o melhor entre os praticantes do mérito—começou a oferecer louvores: ao rei Janamejaya, o sacrificante de fama sem fim, e igualmente aos sacerdotes oficiantes, à assembleia de sábios e ao fogo sagrado, Agni.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before intervening in a charged situation, one should observe dharmic decorum: honor the sacred setting, the host, the officiants, and the consecrated fire. Respectful speech and proper protocol create moral authority and open the way for counsel that can restrain excess.
Āstīka arrives at Janamejaya’s sacrificial arena (the snake-sacrifice context) and begins by praising the king, the priests, the assembled ritual experts, and Agni. This formal eulogy is his entry into the rite and prepares the ground for his subsequent request/intervention.