Shloka 143
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
एवं स्तुत्वा स विप्रर्षिरुत्तड़को भुजगोत्तमान् | नैव ते कुण्डले लेभे ततश्चिन्तामुपागमत्,इस प्रकार उन श्रेष्ठ नागोंकी स्तुति करनेपर भी जब ब्रह्मर्षि उत्तंक उन कुण्डलोंको न पा सके तो उन्हें बड़ी चिन्ता हुई
evaṁ stutvā sa viprarṣir uttaṅko bhujagottamān | naiva te kuṇḍale lebhe tataś cintām upāgamat ||
Having thus praised those foremost serpents, the brahmarṣi Uttaṅka still did not obtain the pair of earrings. Thereupon he was seized by anxious concern—his mind turning to the duty he had undertaken and the fear of failing his obligation.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even sincere praise or effort does not guarantee immediate success; one must persist in one’s dharma—especially a pledged duty—without being undone by anxiety when results are delayed.
Uttaṅka praises the foremost nāgas, hoping to recover the earrings he seeks, but he still fails to obtain them; realizing the task remains unfulfilled, he becomes deeply worried.