Shloka 5
आस्तीककथाप्रारम्भः — Beginning of the Āstīka Narrative
Kadrū–Vinatā, Aruṇa and Garuḍa Origins
तमुवाच महाप्राज्ञो जरत्कारुर्महातपा: । किंनाम्नी भगिनीयं ते ब्रूहि सत्यं भुजंगम,ऐसा निश्चय करके परम बुद्धिमान् एवं महान् तपस्वी जरत्कारुने पूछा--'नागराज! सच-सच बताओ, तुम्हारी इस बहिनका क्या नाम है?”
tam uvāca mahāprājño jaratkārur mahātapāḥ | kiṃnāmnī bhaginīyaṃ te brūhi satyaṃ bhujaṅgama ||
Alors Jaratkāru, très sage et grand ascète, lui adressa ces mots : « Ô seigneur des serpents, dis-moi en vérité : comment se nomme ta sœur ? » En exigeant la vérité, Jaratkāru indique que l’alliance proposée doit reposer sur la clarté et l’honnêteté, non sur la dissimulation ni sur l’élan irréfléchi.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) as a prerequisite for dharmic action: even when a decision is already formed, one must proceed with transparency and accurate knowledge, especially in matters affecting family duty and lineage.
The ascetic Jaratkāru addresses a serpent-lord and asks, directly and truthfully, for the name of the serpent’s sister—an essential detail as the discussion concerns arranging a marriage that will have significant consequences for descendants and obligations.