Shloka 6
Karma, Preta-gati, and the Continuity of Phala
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Instruction
सर्प उवाच आहाते राजपुत्रो5यं मया प्राप्तो मुखागतः । गम्यतां नेह स्थातव्यं श्वो भवानपि मे भवेत्,सर्प बोला--राजन्! यह राजकुमार मेरे मुखके पास स्वयं आकर मुझे आहाररूपमें प्राप्त हुआ है। तुम जाओ, यहाँ ठहरना उचित नहीं है; अन्यथा कलतक तुम भी मेरे आहार बन जाओगे
sarpa uvāca: āhāte rājaputro 'yaṃ mayā prāpto mukhāgataḥ | gamyatāṃ neha sthātavyaṃ śvo bhavān api me bhavet ||
The serpent said, “O king, this prince has come to the very mouth of mine and has thus become my food. Go away; it is not fitting for you to remain here. Otherwise, by tomorrow you too may become my prey.”
सर्प उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a stark ethical tension: raw power asserts ‘might makes right’ and dismisses compassion. It implicitly warns that remaining near violence or predatory forces invites danger, urging prudent withdrawal when dharma cannot be upheld by persuasion.
A serpent addresses a king and claims the prince has come right to its mouth and is therefore its rightful prey. The serpent orders the king to leave immediately, threatening that if he stays, he too may be eaten by the next day.