Shloka 16
Janamejaya’s Request for Expansion; Vaiśampāyana’s Authorization and Phalāśruti of the Mahābhārata
Jaya
ऋत्विज ऊचु: वर्तते तव राजेन्द्र कर्मतद् विधिवत् प्रभो । अस्मै तु द्विजमुख्याय वरं त्वं दातुमहसि,ऋत्विजोंने कहा--राजेन्द्र! आपका यह यज्ञकर्म विधिपूर्वक सम्पन्न हो रहा है। अब आप इन विप्रवर आस्तीकको मनोवांछित वर दे सकते हैं
ṛtvija ūcuḥ | vartate tava rājendra karmatad vidhivat prabho | asmai tu dvijamukhyāya varaṃ tvaṃ dātum arhasi ||
Các vị tư tế chủ lễ thưa: “Muôn tâu Đại vương, muôn tâu Chúa thượng! Nghi lễ tế tự của bệ hạ đang diễn tiến đúng theo mọi quy phạm đã định. Vậy nay xin bệ hạ ban một ân huệ cho vị Bà-la-môn tối thượng này.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a rite is performed according to dharma (vidhi), the patron-king must also fulfill the ethical obligation that completes it—honoring worthy Brahmins and granting a rightful boon. Proper procedure is inseparable from proper moral response.
The priests inform the king that the sacrifice is proceeding correctly and urge him to grant a boon to the eminent Brahmin present (Āstīka in the broader episode), setting up the decisive moment where the king’s promised gift can alter the course of the sacrifice.