Shloka 85
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
अथोत्तड़्क: शुश्रूषुर्गुकुनियोगमनुतिष्ठमानो गुरुकुले वसति सम । स तत्र वसमान उपाध्यायस्त्रीभि: सहिताभिराहूयोक्त:
athottankaḥ śuśrūṣur guruniyogam anutiṣṭhamāno gurukule vasati sma | sa tatra vasamāna upādhyāyastribhiḥ sahitābhir āhūyoktaḥ |
Da blieb Uttaṅka, dienstbereit und die Weisungen seines Lehrers getreu ausführend, weiterhin im Haus des Guru. Während er dort wohnte, ließ ihn die Frau des Lehrers (zusammen mit anderen Frauen) rufen und sprach—
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śuśrūṣā (devoted service) and disciplined obedience to the guru’s injunctions as a foundational dharma for a student; ethical maturity is shown through steady performance of assigned duties within the gurukula.
Uttanka is living in his teacher’s household, diligently fulfilling the teacher’s commands. During this period, the preceptor’s wife (with other women) summons him and begins to speak—introducing the next action or request that will test his conduct.