स्नेहात्केचिदयाचंत धार्ष्ट्यात्केचन दुर्मदाः । दैवलब्धमजानंतो मणिं मत्सरिणो नृपाः
snehātkecidayācaṃta dhārṣṭyātkecana durmadāḥ | daivalabdhamajānaṃto maṇiṃ matsariṇo nṛpāḥ
Some asked for it out of feigned friendship, and others—insolent and intoxicated with pride—demanded it boldly; those envious kings did not understand that the jewel had been obtained by destiny’s decree.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) narrating (deduced)
Scene: Two groups of kings approach: one with smiling faces and folded hands masking desire; another with aggressive posture and pointed gestures. The gem-bearing king remains composed, the jewel glowing calmly—symbolizing daiva’s seal.
Jealousy ignores daiva and dharma; what is granted by divine order cannot be rightly seized by coercion or pretended affection.
This is part of the Ujjayinī (Ujjain) cycle that leads to Mahākāla’s protection and glory.
No explicit ritual; the verse contrasts adharmic demanding with the later dharmic act of seeking Śiva’s refuge.