Shloka 4
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
सौतिरुवाच तत आचरष्ट सा तस्मै बान्धवानां हितैषिणी । भगिनी नागराजस्य जरत्कारुरविक्लवा,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--तदनन्तर अपने भाई-बन्धुओंका हित चाहनेवाली नागराजकी बहिन जरत्कारु शान्तचित्त हो आस्तीकसे बोली
Sautir uvāca—tata ācarat sā tasmai bāndhavānāṁ hitaiṣiṇī | bhaginī nāgarājasya jaratkārur aviklavā ||
Sauti disse: Então ela—Jaratkāru, irmã do rei dos Nāgas—firme e inabalável, zelosa pelo bem de seus parentes, aproximou-se dele e dirigiu-se a Āstīka.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic orientation: acting with steadiness (aviklavā) and with the intention of benefiting one’s relatives (bāndhavānāṁ hitaiṣiṇī). Ethical action is framed as calm, purposeful engagement for the welfare of one’s community.
In Sauti’s narration, Jaratkāru—sister of the Nāga-king—approaches and speaks to Āstīka. Her motive is explicitly the welfare of her kin, setting up the next development in the Āstīka-related episode.