Shloka 21
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानम् — Maṇi-Kuṇḍala Retrieval and Entry into Nāgaloka
Chapter 57
एवमेतद् वद ब्रह्म॒न् नानृतं वदसे5नघ । अभिशन्ञानं तु किंचित् त्वं समानयितुमरहसि
evam etad vada brahman nānṛtaṁ vadasy anagha | abhiśaṅjñānaṁ tu kiñcit tvaṁ samānayitum arhasi |
« Qu’il en soit ainsi, ô brāhmane — dis-le exactement de la sorte ; toi qui es sans tache, tu ne profères point de mensonge. Toutefois, puisque tu viens du roi lui-même en portant son message, tu dois produire quelque signe de reconnaissance — quelque preuve — attestant que tu le représentes véritablement. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a speaker is reputed truthful, dharma in royal and diplomatic matters requires verification: a messenger should provide a recognizable token to authenticate the message and prevent deception.
A listener addresses a brāhmaṇa messenger respectfully, affirming his truthfulness, but requests an identifying sign or proof that he has indeed come from the king with the king’s message.