Shloka 1
आकाशमेघवर्णनम् / Description of the Sky Filled with Rain-Clouds
अड-#-#रू- दाविशोद्ध्याय: नागोंद्वारा य४22505%0 प्ूछको काली बनाना; कद्भू और विनताका देखते हुए आगे बढ़ना सौतिरुवाच नागाश्च संविदं कृत्वा कर्तव्यमिति तद्बच: । नि:स्नेहा वै दहेन्माता असम्प्राप्तमनोरथा,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--महर्षियो! इधर नागोंने परस्पर विचार करके यह निश्चय किया कि “हमें माताकी आज्ञाका पालन करना चाहिये। यदि इसका मनोरथ पूरा न होगा तो वह स्नेहभाव छोड़कर रोषपूर्वक हमें जला देगी। यदि इच्छा पूर्ण हो जानेसे प्रसन्न हो गयी तो वह भामिनी हमें अपने शापसे मुक्त कर सकती है; इसलिये हम निश्चय ही उस घोड़ेकी पूँछको काली कर देंगे”
Sautiḥ uvāca—nāgāś ca saṃvidaṃ kṛtvā kartavyam iti tad vacaḥ | niḥsnehā vai dahen mātā asamprāptamanorathā ||
Sauti said: The Nāgas, having conferred among themselves, resolved, “That command must be carried out.” For if their mother’s desire were not fulfilled, she—bereft of affection—might in anger burn them. But if, her wish accomplished, that passionate lady were pleased, she might release them from her curse; therefore they would surely make the horse’s tail black.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ‘duty’ can be interpreted under pressure: the Nāgas treat obedience to a parent’s command as compulsory, motivated by fear of punishment. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether compliance remains dharma when the command leads toward wrongdoing.
The Nāgas consult one another and decide to carry out their mother’s instruction, reasoning that if her wish is not satisfied she may angrily burn them; therefore they must act to prevent her wrath and potential curse.