Shloka 26
Śāṃtanu’s Ideal Rule; Devavrata’s Return; The Satyavatī Marriage Condition and Bhīṣma’s Vow (आदि पर्व, अध्याय ९४)
यदष्टक प्रब्रवीमीह सत्यं प्रतर्दन॑ चौषदर्शिंव तथैव । सर्वे च लोका मुनयश्न देवा: सत्येन पूज्या इति मे मनोगतम्,अष्टक! मैं तुमसे, प्रतर्दनसे और उषदश्चके पुत्र वसुमानसे भी यहाँ जो कुछ कहता हूँ; वह सब सत्य ही है। मेरे मनका यह विश्वास है कि समस्त लोक, मुनि और देवता सत्यसे ही पूजनीय होते हैं
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: yad Aṣṭaka prabravīmīha satyaṃ Pratardanaṃ cauṣadarśiṃva tathaiva | sarve ca lokā munayaś ca devāḥ satyena pūjyā iti me manogatam ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ó Aṣṭaka, o que declaro aqui é a verdade — e assim também (o que digo) a Pratardana e ao filho de Uṣadarśin. Esta é minha convicção assentada: todos os mundos, os sábios e até os deuses são dignos de honra pela verdade.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truth (satya) is presented as the basis of honor and reverence: beings become worthy of worship and respect through truthfulness and integrity, and truthful speech is treated as a dharmic foundation.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Aṣṭaka and references Pratardana and a figure connected with Uṣadarśi, affirming that what he is stating is true and grounding his instruction in the ethical principle that truth is what makes sages, gods, and all realms worthy of reverence.