Shloka 4
Marutta Seeks Saṃvarta’s Priestly Support; Conditions, Truth-Discipline, and Rival Powers
संवर्त उवाच सत्यमेतद् भवानाह स मां जानाति सत्रिणम् | कथयस्व तदेतन्मे क्व नु सम्प्रति नारद:
Saṁvarta uvāca: satyam etad bhavān āha; sa māṁ jānāti satriṇam | kathayasva tad etan me, kva nu samprati Nāradaḥ ||
Saṁvarta said: “What you have said is true, O king. Nārada knows me as one skilled in conducting sacrifices, even though I move about in a concealed guise. Tell me this, then—where is Nārada at present?”
संवर्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) and the ethical clarity of acknowledging facts even amid concealment: Saṁvarta admits the truth of the king’s statement and notes that genuine competence (here, sacrificial expertise) is recognized by the wise (Nārada), regardless of outward disguise.
Saṁvarta responds to the king, confirming that Nārada recognizes him as a capable ritual expert despite his hidden appearance, and then asks the king to report Nārada’s current location—indicating an ongoing exchange about arranging or understanding sacrificial matters.