Shloka 4

Devanagari script

असज्तिरनाकाडुशक्षी नित्यमुछछशिलाशन: । सर्वभूतहिते युक्त एष विप्रो भुजड्रम,नागराज! ये ब्राह्मण असंग रहकर लौकिक कामनाओंका त्याग कर चुके थे और सदा उउज्छ- एवं शिलवृत्तिसे प्राप्त हुए अन्नको ही खाते थे। ये निरन्तर समस्त प्राणियोंके हितसाधनमें संलग्न रहते थे

Transliteration

asaṅgatir anākāṅkṣī nityam ucchiṣṭa-śilāśanaḥ | sarva-bhūta-hite yukta eṣa vipro bhujaṅgama-nāgarāja ||

Translation

Sūrya said: “Detached and free from craving, he lives always on what is obtained by the gleaner’s and stone-gatherer’s ways of subsistence. Ever devoted to the welfare of all beings, this brahmin—O lord of serpents—embodies the true ideal.”

Word by Word

असक्तिःnon-attachment

अनाकाङ्क्षीdesireless; not longing

नित्यम्always

उञ्छशिलाशनःone who eats food obtained by gleaning and by the 'shila' mode

सर्वभूतहितेin the welfare of all beings

युक्तःengaged; devoted

एषःthis

विप्रःbrahmin; learned man

भुजगेंद्रम्the lord of serpents

नागराजO king of serpents

Speaker

सूर्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sūrya

Nāgarāja (serpent-king)

Vipra (a brahmin)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True brahminical excellence is defined by non-attachment and freedom from desire, a livelihood that minimizes harm and dependence (ucchiṣṭa/śilā-vṛtti), and steady commitment to the welfare of all beings (sarva-bhūta-hita).

What is happening in the narrative?

Sūrya addresses the serpent-king (Nāgarāja), pointing out and praising a brahmin whose austere mode of living and universal benevolence exemplify dharmic conduct.