Shloka 85
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
अथोत्तड़्क: शुश्रूषुर्गुकुनियोगमनुतिष्ठमानो गुरुकुले वसति सम । स तत्र वसमान उपाध्यायस्त्रीभि: सहिताभिराहूयोक्त:
athottankaḥ śuśrūṣur guruniyogam anutiṣṭhamāno gurukule vasati sma | sa tatra vasamāna upādhyāyastribhiḥ sahitābhir āhūyoktaḥ |
Then Uttaṅka, eager to serve and faithfully carrying out his teacher’s commands, continued to live in the teacher’s household. While he was residing there, he was summoned by the preceptor’s wife (together with other women) and addressed—
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śuśrūṣā (devoted service) and disciplined obedience to the guru’s injunctions as a foundational dharma for a student; ethical maturity is shown through steady performance of assigned duties within the gurukula.
Uttanka is living in his teacher’s household, diligently fulfilling the teacher’s commands. During this period, the preceptor’s wife (with other women) summons him and begins to speak—introducing the next action or request that will test his conduct.