Shloka 105
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
त॑ प्रत्युवाच पौष्य: प्रविश्यान्तः:पुरं क्षत्रिया याच्यतामिति | स तेनैवमुक्तः प्रविश्यान्त:पुरं क्षत्रियां नापश्यत्,यह सुनकर पौष्यने उत्तंकसे कहा--'ब्रह्मन! आप अन्तःपुरमें जाकर क्षत्राणीसे वे कुण्डल माँग लें।” राजाके ऐसा कहनेपर उत्तंकने अन्तःपुरमें प्रवेश किया, किंतु वहाँ उन्हें क्षत्राणी नहीं दिखायी दी
taṁ pratyuvāca pauṣyaḥ praviśyāntaḥpuraṁ kṣatriyā yācyatām iti | sa tenaivam uktaḥ praviśyāntaḥpuraṁ kṣatriyāṁ nāpaśyat |
Pauṣya replied, “Enter the inner apartments and request the queen for the earrings.” Thus instructed by the king, Uttanka went into the inner palace; yet he did not see the kṣatriyā (the queen) there. The episode underscores the disciplined pursuit of one’s duty—Uttanka must obtain what is required for his teacher’s command, but he must do so through proper, respectful channels, even when access is uncertain.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Duty must be pursued through rightful means: even when a goal is urgent (obtaining the earrings for the guru’s requirement), one should follow proper etiquette and lawful access, showing restraint and respect within royal and social boundaries.
King Pauṣya directs Uttanka to go into the inner palace and ask the queen for the earrings. Uttanka enters the antaḥpura but cannot find the queen there, creating an obstacle in his mission to secure the requested ornaments.