Shloka 14
Uttaṅka’s Petition for Madayantī’s Divine Earrings (Maṇikuṇḍala) — Agreement, Proof, and Vigilance
गौतमस्त्वब्रवीद् विप्रमुत्तड़कं प्रीतमानस: । कस्मात् तात तवाद्येह शोकोत्तरमिदं मन: । स स्वैरं ब्रूहि विप्रषें श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः
Gautamas tv abravīd vipram Uttankaṁ prītamānasaḥ | kasmāt tāta tavādyeha śokottaram idaṁ manaḥ | sa svairaṁ brūhi viprarṣe śrotum icchāmi tattvataḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Con ánimo complacido y benévolo, Gautama se dirigió al brahmán Uttanka: «Hijo mío, ¿por qué tu corazón está hoy vencido por la aflicción? Habla sin temor, oh brahmán vidente; deseo oír la verdadera causa en su totalidad.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical mode of dialogue: a compassionate elder invites honest speech and seeks the truth (tattvataḥ) rather than rumor or assumption. It models how grief should be approached—through open inquiry, trust, and truthful explanation.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the sage Gautama, pleased in mind, questions the brahmin Uttanka about the cause of his present sorrow and urges him to speak freely so the real reason can be understood.