वासुकिप्रमुखानां च नागानां जनमेजय । सर्व शशंस गुरवे यथावद् द्विजसत्तम:,जनमेजय! वासुकि आदि नागोंके यहाँ जो घटना घटी थी, उसका सारा समाचार द्विजश्रेष्ठ उत्तंकने अपने गुरु महर्षि गौतमसे ठीक-ठीक कह सुनाया
Vāsuki-pramukhānāṁ ca nāgānāṁ Janamejaya | sarvaṁ śaśaṁsa gurave yathāvad dvija-sattamaḥ ||
O Janamejaya, the best of the twice-born (Uttaṅka) reported in full and exactly as it had occurred the entire account of the Nāgas—headed by Vāsuki—to his teacher, the sage Gautama.
अश्व उवाच
The verse highlights dharma in communication: a disciple should convey events to the guru truthfully, completely, and accurately (yathāvat), without distortion or concealment.
Uttaṅka, described as the foremost among the twice-born, narrates to his teacher Gautama the full account of what transpired among the Nāgas led by Vāsuki, while the storyteller addresses King Janamejaya.