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 ||
“میری زبان نے کبھی—ہنسی مذاق میں بھی—جھوٹ نہیں بولا؛ پھر خطرے کے وقت کیسے خلافِ حق کہہ سکتی ہے؟ اس لیے میں سانپوں کے یَجْن کے لیے دیक्षित نرپ شریشٹھ جنمیجَی کے پاس جاؤں گا۔”
आस्तीक उवाच
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.