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Shloka 20

Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)

न मे वागनृतं प्राह स्वैरेष्वपि कुतोडन्यथा । त॑ वै नृपवरं गत्वा दीक्षितं जनमेजयम्‌

na me vāg anṛtaṃ prāha svair eṣv api kuto 'nyathā | taṃ vai nṛpavaraṃ gatvā dīkṣitaṃ janamejayam ||

“என் வாக்கு ஒருபோதும்—விளையாட்டிலும் கூட—பொய் சொன்னதில்லை; அப்படியிருக்க, அபாய நேரத்தில் எப்படி வேறாகச் சொல்வேன்? ஆகவே, சர்ப்பயாகத்திற்குத் தீட்சை பெற்ற அரசர்களில் சிறந்த ஜனமேஜயனிடம் நான் செல்வேன்.”

not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
मेof me / my
मे:
TypePronoun
Rootअस्मद्
FormGenitive, Singular
वाक्speech, word
वाक्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवाच्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
अनृतम्falsehood, untruth
अनृतम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअनृत
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
प्राहsaid / has said
प्राह:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र + अह्
FormPerfect, 3rd, Singular
स्वैरेषुin playful (matters) / in jest
स्वैरेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootस्वैर
FormMasculine/Neuter, Locative, Plural
अपिeven, also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
कुतःhow then? whence?
कुतः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootकुतः
अन्यथाotherwise, differently
अन्यथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअन्यथा
तत्that (act/thing)
तत्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
वैindeed
वै:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवै
नृपवरम्the best of kings
नृपवरम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootनृप-वर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
गत्वाhaving gone
गत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootगम्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive), Active
दीक्षितम्initiated, consecrated
दीक्षितम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदीक्षित
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
जनमेजयम्Janamejaya
जनमेजयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootजनमेजय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular

आस्तीक उवाच

Ā
Āstīka
J
Janamejaya
S
Sarpa-yajña (serpent-sacrifice)

Educational Q&A

The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) as a non-negotiable ethical discipline: one who has trained speech to avoid falsehood even in jest is fit to use words as a dharmic instrument—here, to avert harm and restrain a destructive ritual.

Āstīka resolves to approach King Janamejaya, who is formally consecrated for the serpent-sacrifice, and to speak in an auspicious, persuasive manner so that the king becomes satisfied and the ongoing rite—threatening the serpents—comes to an end.