Shloka 24
Uttaṅka’s Petition for Madayantī’s Divine Earrings (Maṇikuṇḍala) — Agreement, Proof, and Vigilance
ततस्तां प्रतिजग्राह युवा भूत्वा यशस्विनीम् । गुरुणा चाभ्यनुज्ञातो गुरुपत्नीमथाब्रवीत्,तब उत्तंकने तपोबलसे तरुण होकर उस यशस्खविनी गुरुपुत्रीका पाणिग्रहण किया। तत्पश्चात् गुरुकी आज्ञा पाकर वे गुरुपत्नीसे बोले--
tatastāṁ pratijagrāha yuvā bhūtvā yaśasvinīm | guruṇā cābhyanujñāto gurupatnīm athābravīt ||
Then, having become youthful again through the power of his austerities, he accepted that illustrious maiden in marriage. And, having received his teacher’s permission, he thereafter addressed the teacher’s wife.
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed through restraint and proper authorization: even when one has power (gained through tapas), major life-acts like marriage are undertaken with the guru’s consent and within ethical boundaries, emphasizing discipline, legitimacy, and respect for the teacher’s household.
After regaining youth through ascetic power, the protagonist accepts the renowned maiden as his wife. Having obtained the guru’s approval, he then turns to speak to the guru’s wife, indicating the next step in the episode and the social-ethical framing of the marriage.