Shloka 20
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
अस्तीत्युक्त्वा गतो यस्मात् पिता गर्भस्थमेव तम् | वन॑ तस्मादिदं तस्य नामास्तीकेति विश्रुतम्,वह बालक अभी गर्भमें ही था, तभी उसके पिता “अस्ति” कहकर वनमें चले गये थे। इसलिये संसारमें उसका आस्तीक नाम प्रसिद्ध हुआ
astīty uktvā gato yasmāt pitā garbhastham eva tam | vanaṁ tasmād idaṁ tasya nāmāstīketi viśrutam ||
Noong ang bata’y nasa sinapupunan pa, ang kanyang ama ay bumigkas ng salitang “asti” (“mayroon / naroon”) at umalis patungong gubat. Kaya sa daigdig, siya’y nakilala sa pangalang “Āstīka.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Speech and intention have lasting consequences: a single remembered utterance by a parent can shape a child’s identity and reputation, illustrating how words and actions echo through lineage and society.
Takṣaka explains the etymology of Āstīka’s name: while Āstīka was still unborn, his father said “asti” and then left for the forest; hence the child became famous as Āstīka.