Shloka 20
अध्याय ३४ — एलापत्रस्योपदेशः
Elāpatra’s Counsel on the Nāgas’ Deliverance
ततः स्नातुं गता: सर्पा: प्रत्युक्त्वा तं तथेत्युत । शक्रो5प्यमृतमाक्षिप्य जगाम त्रिदिवं पुन:,तब सर्पगण “तथास्तु' कहकर स्नानके लिये गये। इसी बीचमें इन्द्र वह अमृत लेकर पुनः स्वर्गलोकको चले गये
tataḥ snātuṃ gatāḥ sarpāḥ pratyuktvā taṃ tathety uta | śakro 'py amṛtam ākṣipya jagāma tridivaṃ punaḥ ||
Da antworteten die Schlangen: „So sei es“, und gingen, um zu baden. In eben diesem Zwischenraum ergriff Śakra (Indra) das amṛta und kehrte wieder in die Himmelswelt zurück.
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical risk of naïve trust: when one delays or becomes inattentive, especially in dealings involving power, others may exploit the moment. It suggests the need for discernment (viveka) and vigilance alongside good faith.
The serpents agree (“tathāstu”) and go to bathe; while they are away, Indra (Śakra) quickly seizes the amṛta and returns to heaven (Tridiva), preventing the serpents from obtaining it.