Shloka 56
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
तव शुश्रूषणे युक्ता वत्स्यामो हि तवान्तिके । सोमो वसति नास्मासु नाकरोद् वचनं तव,तब वे सब कन्याएँ पुन: एक साथ अपने पिताके पास जाकर बोलीं--'हम सब लोग आपकी सेवामें तत्पर रहकर आपके ही समीप रहेंगी। चन्द्रमा हमारे साथ नहीं रहते। उन्होंने आपकी बात नहीं मानी”
tava śuśrūṣaṇe yuktā vatsyāmo hi tavāntike | somo vasati nāsmāsu nākarod vacanaṃ tava ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Committed to serving you, we shall indeed remain close by your side. Soma (the Moon) does not dwell with us; he did not comply with your command.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of śuśrūṣā (devoted service) and obedience to rightful instruction: the speakers affirm their duty to remain near and serve, while noting Soma’s failure to follow the command, implying a contrast between dutiful compliance and disregard.
A group (implied by the plural verbs) declares to their father/authority figure that they will stay close and serve him; they report that Soma (the Moon) does not stay with them and did not carry out the instruction given to him.