Shloka 130
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
प्रविश्य च नागलोकं॑ स्वभवनमगच्छत् । अथोत्तड्कस्तस्या: क्षत्रियाया वचः स्मृत्वा तं तक्षकमन्वगच्छत्,बिलमें प्रवेश करके वह नागलोकमें अपने घर चला गया। तदनन्तर उस क्षत्राणीकी बातका स्मरण करके उत्तंकने नागलोकतक उस तक्षकका पीछा किया
praviśya ca nāgalokaṃ svabhavanam agacchat | athottaṅkas tasyāḥ kṣatriyāyā vacaḥ smṛtvā taṃ takṣakam anvagacchat |
Having entered the realm of the Nāgas, he went to his own dwelling. Then Uttanka, recalling the words of that Kṣatriya lady, pursued Takṣaka even into the Nāga-world—driven by a sense of obligation and the resolve to act upon what he had been urged to do.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in carrying out a perceived duty: Uttanka does not dismiss counsel once heard, but remembers it and acts decisively, even crossing into an extraordinary realm. It underscores moral resolve and accountability to one’s commitments.
Takṣaka enters the Nāga-world and goes to his own residence. Uttanka, recalling the Kṣatriya woman’s words, follows Takṣaka into Nāgaloka, continuing his pursuit rather than stopping at the boundary between worlds.