Shloka 58
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
शतक्रतुरुवाच अयं सुतस्ते द्विजमुख्य नाग आगच्छति त्वामभिवीक्षमाण: । पादौ च ते नासिकयोपजिदध्रते श्रेयो ममाध्याहि नमश्न ते5स्तु
śatakratur uvāca ayaṃ sutas te dvijamukhya nāga āgacchati tvām abhivīkṣamāṇaḥ | pādau ca te nāsikayopajighrate śreyo mamādhyāhi namaś ca te 'stu ||
Śatakratu (Indra) dit : « Ô le plus éminent des brahmanes, ce fils qui est le tien—ô Nāga—s’avance vers toi en te regardant avec vénération. Il hume même tes pieds de sa trompe, en signe d’humble soumission. Enseigne-moi ce qui est véritablement pour mon bien ; et reçois mes salutations. »
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śreyas (true welfare) as something to be learned through humble approach to a worthy teacher. Even a powerful figure like Indra seeks instruction with reverence, implying that ethical clarity and spiritual good arise from disciplined listening and respect for dharma-knowledge.
Indra (Śatakratu) addresses Gautama, noting that Gautama’s son—described as a Nāga—approaches respectfully and shows submission by sniffing the sage’s feet. Indra then requests Gautama to teach him what is beneficial (śreyas) and offers salutations.