Shounaka Asks Souti to Narrate the Story of Astika
Pleased with Souti's narration in the Naimisha forest, the sage Shounaka asks him to tell the detailed story of the holy Astika, praising his gentle and pleasing speech.
In the Naimisha forest, the sage Shounaka listened to the storyteller Souti. He was pleased. He said, “O Souti! Tell us once again, in detail, the account of the holy and wise Astika.”
Shounaka praised Souti’s manner. “You listen most obediently to what we say. You speak in gentle tones, with the right words and metres. We are very pleased. You speak like your father. Your father was always ready to please us.”
His request was specific and carried the weight of lineage. “Therefore, tell us this account, as your father narrated it.”
With this invitation, Souti agreed, setting the stage for the narration of the legend of Astika.