Shloka 93
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
स कदाचिदुपाध्यायमाहोत्तड़क आज्ञापयतु भवान् कि ते प्रियमुपाहरामि गुर्वर्थमिति,तदनन्तर किसी दिन उत्तंकने फिर उपाध्यायसे कहा--“भगवन्! आज्ञा दीजिये, मैं आपको कौन-सी प्रिय वस्तु गुरुदक्षिणाके रूपमें भेंट करूँ?”
Sa kadācid upādhyāyam āha—“Uttaṅka, ājñāpayatu bhavān; kiṃ te priyam upaharāmi gurv-artham iti.”
On one occasion he addressed his teacher: “O Uttaṅka, please command me. What cherished offering shall I bring you as the teacher’s fee?” The line highlights the student’s readiness to serve and his ethical concern to complete his obligation to the guru through an appropriate gift.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma in the form of guru-sevā and guru-dakṣiṇā: a student should not treat learning as free of obligation, but should respectfully ask the teacher what offering would truly please him, fulfilling duty with humility and sincerity.
A disciple approaches his teacher and requests an instruction regarding what gift he should bring as guru-dakṣiṇā. It sets up the next narrative step where the teacher’s desired offering will guide the disciple’s actions.