Shloka 24
विशीर्णबन्धने तस्मिन् गते कृष्णाजिने महीम्,विदश्यास्थेन वल्मीक॑ विवेशाथ स कुण्डले । बन्धन टूट जानेपर उस काले मृगछालेके पृथ्वीपर गिरते ही किसी सर्पकी दृष्टि उसपर पड़ी। वह ऐरावतके कुलमें उत्पन्न हुआ तक्षक था। उसने मृगछालाके भीतर रखे हुए उस मणिमय कुण्डलोंको देखा। फिर तो बड़ी शीघ्रता करके वह उन कुण्डलोंको दाँतोंमें दबाकर एक बाँबीमें घुस गया
viśīrṇabandhane tasmin gate kṛṣṇājine mahīm, vidaśyāsthen valmīkaṁ viveśātha sa kuṇḍale |
Vaiśampāyana said: When the binding had broken and that black antelope-skin fell to the ground, a serpent happened to notice it. It was Takṣaka, born in the line of Airāvata. Seeing the gem-studded earrings kept within the deerskin, he swiftly seized those earrings in his teeth and slipped into an anthill.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Valuables and attachment can attract predatory opportunism; ethical vigilance and non-attachment are implied, as harm may arise swiftly when desire finds an opening.
A black antelope-skin falls to the ground after its fastening breaks; the serpent Takṣaka notices it, sees gem-like earrings inside, grabs them with his teeth, and quickly disappears into an anthill.