Shloka 17
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
तक्षक उवाच यावद्धनं प्रार्थयसे तस्माद् राज्ञस्ततो5थधिकम् | अहमेव प्रदास्यामि निवर्तस्व द्विजोत्तम,तक्षक बोला--द्विजश्रेष्ठ! तुम राजा परीक्षितसे जितना धन पाना चाहते हो, उससे अधिक मैं ही दे दूँगा, अतः लौट जाओ
Takṣaka uvāca: yāvad dhanaṃ prārthayase tasmād rājñas tato 'thādhikam | aham eva pradāsyāmi nivartasva dvijottama ||
قال تَكْشَكَ: «أيَّ مالٍ تطلب—بل أكثر من ذلك، بل أكثر مما يقدر الملك أن يمنحه—فأنا نفسي سأعطيك. فارجع إذن، يا أفضلَ البراهمة».
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical test: wealth is used as a lure to redirect a person (here, a Brahmin) from his intended action. It underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring concern that dharma can be challenged by inducements, and that integrity is measured by resistance to such temptations.
Takṣaka addresses a Brahmin and offers to give him more wealth than even the king could provide, urging him to turn back. The speech functions as an attempt to influence events by bribery—seeking to alter the Brahmin’s course through material incentive.