Shloka 51
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
स तैरर्कपन्रैर्भक्षितै: क्षारतिक्तकदुरूक्षैस्तीक्षणविपाकैश्नक्षुष्युपहतो5न्धो बभूव । ततः सो<न्धोडपि चड्क्रम्यमाण: कूपे पपात,आकके पत्ते खारे, तीखे, कड़वे और रूखे होते हैं। उनका परिणाम तीक्ष्ण होता है (पाचनकालमें वे पेटके अंदर आगकी ज्वाला-सी उठा देते हैं)) अतः: उनको खानेसे उपमन्युकी आँखोंकी ज्योति नष्ट हो गयी। वह अन्धा हो गया। अन्धा होनेपर भी वह इधर- उधर घूमता रहा; अतः कुएँमें गिर पड़ा
sa tair arkaparṇair bhakṣitaiḥ kṣāra-tikta-kaḍu-rūkṣais tīkṣṇa-vipākaiś cakṣuṣy-upahato 'ndho babhūva | tataḥ so 'ndho 'pi caṅkramyamāṇaḥ kūpe papāta |
Having eaten those arka leaves—salty, bitter, pungent, and harsh, with a sharp and burning after-effect—Upamanyu’s eyesight was injured and he became blind. Then, though blind, he continued to wander about, and in that state he fell into a well.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the ethical necessity of restraint and faithful observance of a student’s discipline under the guru. When one tries to satisfy hunger through harmful or improper substitutes, the result can be self-injury and further downfall—here symbolized by loss of sight and the fall into a well.
Upamanyu eats arka leaves, which are caustic and have a harsh digestive effect. His eyesight is damaged and he becomes blind; still moving about, he accidentally falls into a well.