Shloka 58
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
शतक्रतुरुवाच अयं सुतस्ते द्विजमुख्य नाग आगच्छति त्वामभिवीक्षमाण: । पादौ च ते नासिकयोपजिदध्रते श्रेयो ममाध्याहि नमश्न ते5स्तु
śatakratur uvāca ayaṃ sutas te dvijamukhya nāga āgacchati tvām abhivīkṣamāṇaḥ | pādau ca te nāsikayopajighrate śreyo mamādhyāhi namaś ca te 'stu ||
শতক্ৰতু (ইন্দ্ৰ) ক’লে—দ্বিজমুখ্য! আপোনাৰ পুত্ৰৰূপ এই নাগে ভক্তিভাৱে আপোনাক চাই আপোনাৰ ওচৰলৈ আহি আছে। সি নিজৰ শুঁড়েৰে আপোনাৰ পদযুগল ঘ্ৰাণ কৰি বিনয় প্ৰকাশ কৰিছে। মোৰ শ্ৰেয়ৰ উপদেশ দিয়ক; আপোনাক নমস্কাৰ।
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śreyas (true welfare) as something to be learned through humble approach to a worthy teacher. Even a powerful figure like Indra seeks instruction with reverence, implying that ethical clarity and spiritual good arise from disciplined listening and respect for dharma-knowledge.
Indra (Śatakratu) addresses Gautama, noting that Gautama’s son—described as a Nāga—approaches respectfully and shows submission by sniffing the sage’s feet. Indra then requests Gautama to teach him what is beneficial (śreyas) and offers salutations.