Shloka 35
Śama-prāptiḥ — Gautamī–Lubdhaka–Pannaga–Mṛtyu–Kāla-saṃvāda
Restraint through the Analysis of Karma and Time
सर्प उवाच को न्वर्जुनक दोषोअत्र विद्यते मम बालिश । अस्वतन्त्र हि मां मृत्युर्विवशं यदचूचुदत्,सर्पने कहा--ओ नादान अर्जुनक! इसमें मेरा क्या दोष है? मैं तो पराधीन हूँ। मृत्युने मुझे विवश करके इस कार्यके लिये प्रेरित किया था
sarpa uvāca: ko nv arjunaka doṣo 'tra vidyate mama bāliśa? asvatantraḥ hi māṃ mṛtyur vivaśaṃ yad acūcudat.
The serpent said, “O foolish Arjunaka, what fault of mine is there in this matter? I am not my own master. Death compelled me against my will and impelled me to do this deed.”
सर्प उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse raises the ethical tension between personal culpability and compulsion: the serpent claims diminished responsibility because it acted under the coercion of Mṛtyu (Death/fate), prompting reflection on how dharma judges actions done under force or destiny.
In a dialogue, the serpent addresses Arjunaka and defends itself against blame, arguing that it was not acting freely; rather, Death compelled it to perform the act in question.