Shloka 19
Vyāsa’s Arrival at Janamejaya’s Sarpasatra; Commissioning of Vaiśaṃpāyana’s Recital (व्यासागमनम्)
भव स्वस्थमना नाग न हि ते विद्यते भयम् । प्रयतिष्ये तथा राजन् यथा श्रेयो भविष्यति,“नागप्रवर! आप निश्चिन्त रहें। आपके लिये कोई भय नहीं है। राजन! जैसे भी आपका कल्याण होगा, मैं वैसा प्रयत्न करूँगा
bhava svasthamanā nāga na hi te vidyate bhayam | prayatiṣye tathā rājan yathā śreyo bhaviṣyati ||
“Hỡi Nāga ưu việt, hãy an tâm; thật không có nỗi sợ nào dành cho ngươi. Hỡi bậc vương giả, ta sẽ gắng sức sao cho điều lợi ích và thiện lành tối thượng của ngươi được thành tựu.”
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic reassurance and responsible action: one should calm the fearful, speak truthfully about safety, and then actively work for śreyas—genuine welfare—rather than merely offering comfort without effort.
Āstīka addresses a Nāga and the King, assuring the serpent that there is no danger and promising the king that he will act in a way that leads to the best outcome—an intercession aimed at stopping harm and securing welfare amid the serpent-sacrifice context.