Shloka 2
Mātali’s Proposal for Guṇakeśī and Sumukha’s Audience with Indra
एष शेष: स्थितो नागो येनेयं॑ धार्यते सदा । तपसा लोकमुख्येन प्रभावसहिता मही,ये शेषनाग स्थित हैं, जो अपने लोकप्रसिद्ध तपोबलसे प्रभावसहित इस सारी पृथ्वीको सदा सिरपर धारण करते हैं
eṣa śeṣaḥ sthito nāgo yeneyaṁ dhāryate sadā | tapasā lokamukhyena prabhāvasahitā mahī ||
قال نارادا: «هذا هو شيشا (Śeṣa)، الحيّة العظمى الثابتةُ المقام، التي تحمل هذه الأرض على الدوام. وبزُهده وتقشّفه (tapas) الأسمى، المشهور في العالم، تُسنَد الأرض في إشراقٍ من القدرة والهيبة.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that the stability of the world rests on dharmic power—here symbolized by Śeṣa’s tapas (austerity). Ethical strength and disciplined restraint are portrayed as forces that uphold order and prevent collapse.
Nārada identifies the cosmic serpent Śeṣa and explains his role: he continually bears the earth, empowered by extraordinary, renowned austerity. The statement situates the listener within a larger cosmological frame where divine beings sustain creation.