Shloka 6
Āpava
Vasiṣṭha) and the Vasus: the Kāmadhenu Theft and the Curse (Śaṃtanu–Gaṅgā Saṃvāda
अष्टक उवाच केनासि हूतः प्रहितोडसि राजन् युवा ख्रग्वी दर्शनीय: सुवर्चा: । कुत आयात: कतरस्यां दिशि त्व- मुताहोस्वित् पार्थिवं स्थानमस्ति,अष्टकने पूछा--राजन्! आपको यहाँ किसने बुलाया? किसने भेजा है? आप अवस्थामें तरुण, फूलोंकी मालासे सुशोभित, दर्शनीय तथा उत्तम तेजसे उद्धासित जान पड़ते हैं। आप कहाँसे आये हैं? किस दिशामें भेजे गये हैं? अथवा क्या आपके लिये इस पृथ्वीपर कोई उत्तम स्थान है?
aṣṭaka uvāca | kenāsi hūtaḥ prahito 'si rājan yuvā sragvī darśanīyaḥ suvarcāḥ | kuta āyātaḥ katarasyāṃ diśi tvam utāho svit pārthivaṃ sthānam asti ||
阿什塔迦说道：“大王啊，是谁召唤你到此，又是谁差遣你来？你显得青春年少，佩戴花鬘，仪容悦目，光辉灿然。你从何处而来，又将被送往何方？抑或在这大地之上，已为你安排了某个相称的居所？”
अष्टक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: one should ask about the cause (who summoned/sent), the direction (where one is headed), and the proper station (one’s rightful place). It hints that a person’s condition and destination are connected to higher ordinance and earned merit, not merely to outward appearance.
Aṣṭaka addresses a radiant, youthful-looking king and questions him closely—who called him, who sent him, where he has come from, where he is being directed, and whether he has an appointed place on earth—setting up a discussion about the king’s status and destiny.