Shloka 126
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
साधयामस्तावदित्युक्त्वा प्रातिष्ठतोत्तड़कस्ते कुण्डले गृहीत्वा सो5पश्यदथ पथि नग्नं क्षपषणकमागच्छन्तं मुहुर्मुहुर्दश्यमानमदृश्यमानं च,“अब हम अपना कार्यसाधन कर रहे हैं।' ऐसा कहकर उत्तंक दोनों कुण्डलोंको लेकर वहाँसे चल दिये। मार्गमें उन्होंने अपने पीछे आते हुए एक नग्न क्षपणकको देखा जो बार- बार दिखायी देता और छिप जाता था
sādhayāmastāvad ity uktvā prātiṣṭhata uttaṅkas te kuṇḍale gṛhītvā so ’paśyad atha pathi nagnaṃ kṣapaṇakam āgacchantaṃ muhur muhur dṛśyamānam adṛśyamānaṃ ca |
Saying, “Let us accomplish our purpose for the moment,” Uttaṅka set out, taking the two earrings. On the road he then saw a naked ascetic of the kṣapaṇaka type approaching behind him—appearing again and again, and then vanishing from sight. The episode underscores how a righteous mission can be tested by deceptive appearances and the need for vigilance in safeguarding what has been entrusted.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights vigilance and integrity: when one carries a entrusted object or duty, one must remain alert to deceptive appearances and not be distracted or misled, even by figures that seem ascetic or harmless.
Uttaṅka departs with the pair of earrings to fulfill his purpose. On the way he notices a naked kṣapaṇaka following—repeatedly appearing and disappearing—foreshadowing a test or attempted deception connected with the earrings.