Shloka 17
आदि पर्व — अध्याय ५५: पाण्डव-कौरववैरस्य संक्षेपवृत्तान्तः
Synopsis of the Pāṇḍava–Kaurava Estrangement
सौतिर्वाच एवं स्तुता: सर्व एव प्रसन्ना राजा सदस्या ऋत्विजो हव्यवाहः । तेषां दृष्टवा भावितानीकज्ञितानि प्रोवाच राजा जनमेजयो5थ,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--आस्तीकके इस प्रकार स्तुति करनेपर यजमान राजा जनमेजय, सदस्य, ऋत्विज् और अग्निदेव सभी बड़े प्रसन्न हुए। इन सबके मनोभावों तथा बाह्य चेष्टाओंको लक्ष्य करके राजा जनमेजय इस प्रकार बोले
sautir uvāca—evaṁ stutāḥ sarva eva prasannā rājā sadasyā ṛtvijo havyavāhaḥ | teṣāṁ dṛṣṭvā bhāvitānīkajñitāni provāca rājā janamejayo ’tha ||
Sauti disse: Assim louvados, todos se alegraram — o rei Janamejaya, o sacrificante; os eruditos membros da assembleia; os sacerdotes oficiantes; e o deus do Fogo, portador das oblações. Observando suas disposições interiores e seus sinais exteriores, o rei Janamejaya então falou.
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Measured, respectful speech—here in the form of praise—can calm powerful actors in a ritual and political setting, creating the conditions for a righteous (dharmic) choice rather than an impulsive or harmful one.
After Āstīka’s praise, the key participants of Janamejaya’s sacrifice—Janamejaya himself, the assembly, the priests, and Agni—become pleased. Noticing their changed mood and signs of assent, Janamejaya prepares to speak, marking a turning point in the episode.