Shloka 37
Jaratkāru’s Conditional Marriage Vow and Vāsuki’s Offer (जरत्कारु-विवाह-नियमः)
तमब्रवीत् पन्नगेन्द्र: काश्यपं मुनिपुड्भवम् । क्व भवांस्त्वरितो याति कि च कार्य चिकीर्षति,मार्गमें नागराज तक्षकने काश्यपको देखा। वे एकचित्त होकर हस्तिनापुरकी ओर बढ़े जा रहे थे। तब नागराजने बूढ़े ब्राह्यणका वेश बनाकर मुनिवर काश्यपसे पूछा--“आप कहाँ बड़ी उतावलीके साथ जा रहे हैं और कौन-सा कार्य करना चाहते हैं?
tam abravīt pannagendraḥ kāśyapaṃ munipuṅgavam | kva bhavāṃs tvarito yāti kiṃ ca kāryaṃ cikīrṣati ||
Da sprach der Schlangenherr zu Kāśyapa, dem Vornehmsten der Weisen: „Wohin eilst du, Herr, und welches Werk willst du vollbringen?“
गौरयुख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical conflict: benevolent intent (a sage rushing to prevent harm) can be challenged by deceit and determined wrongdoing. It also gestures toward the Mahābhārata’s recurring inquiry into how far human effort can go when opposed by powerful agents and the momentum of impending consequences.
Takṣaka, the serpent-king, encounters the sage Kāśyapa on the road as the sage hastens toward Hastināpura. Disguised as an old brāhmaṇa, Takṣaka questions him about his destination and purpose, initiating a confrontation meant to prevent Kāśyapa from intervening in Takṣaka’s planned act.