Shloka 14
उच्चैःश्रवसः वर्णविपणः तथा नागशापः
Uccaiḥśravas Color-Wager and the Nāga Curse
अमृतार्थे पुरा ब्रह्मंस्तथैवासुरदानवा: । एकमन्तमुप श्लिष्टा नागराज्ञों महासुरा:
amṛtārthe purā brahman tathaivāsura-dānavāḥ | ekāntam upaśliṣṭā nāgarājño mahāsurāḥ ||
قال شَوْنَكَة: قديمًا، يا أيها البراهمن، طلبًا للأمريتة—رحيق الخلود—اقترب الأسورا والدانافا كذلك سرًّا من ملك الناغا؛ أولئك الشياطين العظام، ليستميلوا عونه.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of extraordinary power (amṛta) can drive groups into secret alliances and strategic maneuvering, implying an ethical caution: desire for immortality or dominance often breeds intrigue and conflict rather than clarity of dharma.
Śaunaka recalls an earlier episode: the Asuras and Dānavas, intent on obtaining amṛta, privately approached the Nāga-king to secure support—suggesting behind-the-scenes coalition-building in a larger struggle over the nectar.