Shloka 21
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
एवमेतद् वद ब्रह्म॒न् नानृतं वदसे5नघ । अभिशन्ञानं तु किंचित् त्वं समानयितुमरहसि
evam etad vada brahman nānṛtaṁ vadasy anagha | abhiśaṅjñānaṁ tu kiñcit tvaṁ samānayitum arhasi |
“So be it, O brāhmaṇa—say it exactly thus; you do not speak falsehood, O blameless one. Yet, since you have come from the king himself bearing his message, you ought to produce some token of recognition—some proof—confirming that you truly represent him.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a speaker is reputed truthful, dharma in royal and diplomatic matters requires verification: a messenger should provide a recognizable token to authenticate the message and prevent deception.
A listener addresses a brāhmaṇa messenger respectfully, affirming his truthfulness, but requests an identifying sign or proof that he has indeed come from the king with the king’s message.