Shloka 155
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
अद्य तत् पुण्यकमुपाध्यायान्या दूरं चाहमभ्यागत: स कथं सम्भावयेयमिति तत एन॑ चिन्तयानमेव स पुरुष उवाच,“अहो! आज ही गुरुपत्नीका वह पुण्यकव्रत है और मैं बहुत दूर चला आया हूँ। ऐसी दशामें किस प्रकार इन कुण्डलोंद्वारा उनका सत्कार कर सकूँगा?” तब इस प्रकार चिन्तामें पड़े हुए उत्तंकसे उस पुरुषने कहा--
adya tat puṇyakam upādhyāyānyā dūraṃ cāham abhyāgataḥ | sa kathaṃ sambhāvayeyam iti tata enaṃ cintayānam eva sa puruṣa uvāca ||
Uttanka thought: “Today is that auspicious observance of my teacher’s wife, and I have come from very far away. In such a situation, how can I properly honor her with these earrings?” As he remained absorbed in this anxious reflection, that man addressed him.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores guru-sevā as dharma: honoring the teacher’s household is a moral obligation, and sincere concern for timely, proper respect is itself an ethical stance.
Uttanka realizes that the guru’s wife is observing an auspicious rite today, but he has returned from far away and worries how he can honor her appropriately using the earrings; while he is thinking, a man speaks to him.