Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
तव शुश्रूषणे युक्ता वत्स्यामो हि तवान्तिके । सोमो वसति नास्मासु नाकरोद् वचनं तव
tava śuśrūṣaṇe yuktā vatsyāmo hi tavāntike | somo vasati nāsmāsu nākarod vacanaṃ tava ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Dem Dienst an dir verpflichtet, werden wir wahrlich dicht an deiner Seite bleiben. Soma, der Mond, wohnt nicht bei uns; er hat deinen Befehl nicht befolgt.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical weight of śuśrūṣā (devoted service) and obedience to rightful instruction: the speakers affirm their duty to remain near and serve, while noting Soma’s failure to follow the command, implying a contrast between dutiful compliance and disregard.
A group (implied by the plural verbs) declares to their father/authority figure that they will stay close and serve him; they report that Soma (the Moon) does not stay with them and did not carry out the instruction given to him.