Shloka 133
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
तमुत्तड़को5नुविवेश तेनैव बिलेन प्रविश्य च तं नागलोकमपर्यन्तमनेकविधप्रासादहर्म्यवलभीनिर्यूहशतसंकुलमुच्चावचक्रीडा श्चर्य स्थानावकीर्णमपश्यत्,तब उत्तंक उस बिलमें घुस गये और उसी मार्गसे भीतर प्रवेश करके उन्होंने नागलोकका दर्शन किया, जिसकी कहीं सीमा नहीं थी। जो अनेक प्रकारके मन्दिरों, महलों, झुके हुए छज्जोंवाले ऊँचे-ऊँचे मण्डपों तथा सैकड़ों दरवाजोंसे सुशोभित और छोटे-बड़े अदभुत क्रीडास्थानोंसे व्याप्त था। वहाँ उन्होंने इन श्लोकोंद्वारा उन नागोंका स्तवन किया --ऐरावत जिनके राजा हैं, जो समरांगणमें विशेष शोभा पाते हैं, बिजली और वायुसे प्रेरित हो जलकी वर्षा करनेवाले बादलोंकी भाँति बाणोंकी धारावाहिक वृष्टि करते हैं, उन सर्पोकी जय हो
tam uttaṅko 'nuviveśa tenaiva bilena praviśya ca taṃ nāgalokam aparyantam anekavidha-prāsāda-harmya-valabhī-niryūha-śata-saṅkulam uccāvacakrīḍāścarya-sthānāvakīrṇam apaśyat |
Uttaṅka entered through that very burrow; passing inward by the same passage, he beheld the realm of the Nāgas—boundless in extent—crowded with hundreds of structures: many kinds of temples and palaces, lofty halls with sloping eaves and projecting galleries, and innumerable doorways. It was filled with wondrous play-grounds of every size and variety. There he praised the serpents with verses: “Victory to those serpents whose king is Airāvata—who shine in the field of battle and, like rain-bearing clouds driven by lightning and wind, pour forth an unbroken shower of arrows.”
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights reverence and strategic humility: upon entering an awe-inspiring and powerful realm, Uttaṅka responds not with aggression but with praise, acknowledging sovereignty and strength. It models a dharmic approach to encountering power—recognize order, speak respectfully, and proceed with awareness rather than rashness.
Uttaṅka follows the same burrow inward and reaches the boundless Nāga realm, described as architecturally magnificent and filled with wondrous recreation-places. There he offers a hymn of praise to the Nāgas, celebrating their king Airāvata and likening their arrow-showers in battle to rain-clouds driven by lightning and wind.