Shloka 5
नागभायावाच आर्जवेन विजानामि नासौ देवोडनिलाशन । एकं तस्मिन् विजानामि भक्तिमानतिरोषण
Nāgabhāryovāca— ārjavena vijānāmi nāsau devo 'nilāśana; ekaṃ tasmin vijānāmi bhaktimān atiroṣaṇa.
The Nāga’s wife said: “From his straightforwardness I understand that he is not a god, O wind-fed one. Yet I recognize one great thing in him: he is devoted to you, though you are exceedingly wrathful by nature.”
नाग उवाच
Educational Q&A
True character can be discerned from simplicity and sincerity, and devotion (bhakti) is recognized as a significant virtue even when directed toward someone known for anger; the verse implicitly contrasts divine display with human straightforwardness and highlights the ethical value of devotion and self-awareness about wrath.
The Nāga’s wife addresses the Nāga king (called ‘Anilāśana’) and judges that the brāhmaṇa before them is not a god, basing her conclusion on his plain, honest demeanor; nevertheless, she notes an important trait—his devotion to the Nāga king despite the king’s fierce temper.