Shloka 2
Ulūpī’s Disclosure and the Saṃjīvana-Maṇi: Arjuna’s Restoration (उलूपी-प्रकटनं संजीवनमणि-स्थापनं च)
कच्चित् कुशलकामासि राज्ञोड5स्य भुजगात्मजे । मम वा चपलापाड़ि कच्चित् त्वं शुभमिच्छसि
Arjuna uvāca:
Kaccit kuśalakāmāsi rājño ’sya bhujagātmaje | mama vā capalāpāṅgi kaccit tvaṃ śubham icchasi nāgakumāri ||
Arjuna said: “O Nāga princess, daughter of the serpent race—do you truly wish well for this king? And you, O lady of restless, darting glances, do you also desire my welfare?”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical speech and intention: Arjuna tests whether the other party’s motives are auspicious and benevolent toward both the king and himself, implying that right action should be guided by goodwill (śubha-icchā) rather than hostility or manipulation.
In the Ashvamedha context, Arjuna is engaged in tense interactions surrounding the local king Babhruvāhana and a Nāga maiden. He addresses her directly, asking whether she genuinely seeks the king’s welfare and also his own—probing her stance in a situation where loyalties and intentions matter.