Astika praises Janamejaya's sacrifice and virtues

Astika stood before King Janamejaya at the snake sacrifice. The air was thick with the smoke of offerings, the chants of the priests, and the palpable intent to destroy the serpent race. The young sage, born of both Brahmin and Naga lineage, began to speak. His words were not a plea or a protest, but a cascade of praise, each comparison more exalted than the last. He began with the sacrifice itself. “O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage!” he said, naming the king by his father and his clan. “Soma’s sacrifice, Varuna’s sacrifice and Prajapati’s sacrifice were held in Prayaga in ancient times. But your sacrifice is in no way inferior to theirs.” He declared it equal to one hundred sacrifices of Shakra (Indra), the king of the gods. He lined up the legendary benchmarks: the sacrifices of Yama, of Harimedha, of Rantideva. Of Gaya, Shashabindu, and Vaishravana (Kubera, the lord of wealth). Of Nriga, Ajamida, and Dasharatha’s son (Rama). He invoked the king’s own ancestor, Yudhishthira, “who was the son of a god and famous even in heaven.” He even praised the sacrifice performed by Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa) himself, the author of this epic and the priest currently presiding over this very ritual. Then Astika turned his gaze to the assembly. “Those who are seated here are as radiant as the sun and the fire,” he said, making the gathering itself a part of the ritual’s glory. He singled out the chief priest: “I am certain that there is no ritvija (sacrificial priest) in all the worlds who is the equal of your ritvija Dvaipayana.” He acknowledged the sacred fire, Vibhavasu (Agni), “who trails black smoke, who consumes everything,” as eager for the king’s offerings. Finally, he praised the king’s person, weaving together divine and heroic exemplars. “In the world of the living, there is no king equal to you in protecting his subjects.” He named him Varuna, Yama, and Shakra in his protective role. In perseverance, he was like Bhishma; in subtle firmness, like the sage Valmiki; in control of anger, like Vasishtha. His sovereignty was like Indra’s, his radiance like Narayana’s. He administered dharma like Yama, possessed all qualities like Krishna, and was the abode of wealth like the vasus (a class of gods). He was strong like Dambhodbhava, learned in arms like Rama (Parashurama), energetic like the sages Ourva and Trita, and his terrifying gaze was like Bhagiratha’s. The speech was a tapestry of cosmic and historical reference, placing Janamejaya at the center of all virtue and achievement. When Astika finished, the effect was immediate. The entire assembly — the king, the Brahmin priests, the officiants, and even the personified sacrificial fire — was pleased. A receptive and auspicious silence settled over the grounds, the perfect ground for whatever request might follow.