Shloka 18
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तमब्रवीत् पन्नगेन्द्र: काश्यपं त्वरितं द्विजम् । क्व भवांस्त्वरितो याति कि च कार्य चिकीर्षति १८ ।।
tam abravīt pannagendraḥ kāśyapaṃ tvaritaṃ dvijam | kva bhavāṃs tvarito yāti kiṃ ca kāryaṃ cikīrṣati || 18 ||
तमब्रवीत् पन्नगेन्द्रः काश्यपं त्वरितं द्विजम्—“क्व भवान् त्वरितो याति? किं च कार्यं चिकीर्षति?”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before acting—especially when one’s action can strongly affect others—one should examine and articulate one’s intention (kārya) and purpose. The verse highlights ethical scrutiny of motive as a prerequisite to consequential deeds.
The serpent-king notices the brahmin Kāśyapa rushing somewhere and, addressing him respectfully, asks where he is going so quickly and what he plans to do—setting up a pivotal exchange about the brahmin’s intended intervention.