Shloka 158
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
अथ तस्मिन्नन्तरे स उत्तड़कः: प्रविश्य उपाध्यायकुलमुपाध्यायानीम भ्यवादयत् ते चास्यै कुण्डले प्रायच्छत् सा चैन प्रत्युवाच,इसी बीचमें उत्तंकने उपाध्यायके घरमें प्रवेश करके गुरुपत्नीको प्रणाम किया और उन्हें वे दोनों कुण्डल दे दिये। तब गुरुपत्नीने उत्तंकसे कहा--
atha tasminn antare sa uttaṅkaḥ praviśya upādhyāyakulam upādhyāyānīm abhyavādayat | te cāsyai kuṇḍale prāyacchat | sā cainaṃ pratyuvāca |
Meanwhile, Uttaṅka entered his teacher’s household and respectfully greeted the teacher’s wife. He then presented her with the pair of earrings. Having received them, the teacher’s wife addressed Uttaṅka—marking the moment when his dutiful errand is fulfilled and the moral weight shifts to what she will instruct or require next.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as disciplined respect and faithful completion of a teacher-related obligation: Uttaṅka enters the guru’s household properly, offers reverence to the guru’s wife, and delivers the entrusted/required gift without delay—showing that ethical conduct is measured not only by intent but by correct, respectful action.
Uttaṅka arrives at his teacher’s home, greets the teacher’s wife, and hands over the pair of earrings. After receiving them, she begins to speak to him, indicating the next instruction or development in the episode.