Shloka 94
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
तमुपाध्याय: प्रत्युवाच वत्सोत्तड़क बहुशो मां चोदयसि गुर्वर्थमुपाहरामीति तद् गच्छैनां प्रविश्योपाध्यायानीं पृष्छ किमुपाहरामीति,एषा यद् ब्रवीति तदुपाहरस्वेति । यह सुनकर उपाध्यायने उनसे कहा--“वत्स उत्तंक! तुम बार-बार मुझसे कहते हो कि 'मैं क्या गुरुदक्षिणा भेंट करूँ?” अत: जाओ, घरके भीतर प्रवेश करके अपनी गुरुपत्नीसे पूछ लो कि “मैं कया गुरुदक्षिणा भेंट करूँ?”
tam upādhyāyaḥ pratyuvāca—vatsottaka bahuśo māṃ caodayasi gurvartham upāharāmīti; tad gaccha enāṃ praviśyopādhyāyānīṃ pṛccha—kim upāharāmīti; eṣā yad bravīti tad upāharasveti.
The teacher replied, “My dear Uttanka, you keep urging me again and again, saying, ‘What shall I bring as the teacher’s fee?’ Therefore go inside and ask my wife, ‘What should I offer as guru-dakṣiṇā?’ Whatever she tells you—bring that.” The passage frames the student’s duty of gratitude and obedience, while placing the decision in the household’s moral authority, not in the student’s preference.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
A disciple should fulfill guru-dakṣiṇā with humility and obedience, accepting the guru’s household guidance; gratitude is expressed through dutiful action rather than bargaining or self-chosen offerings.
Uttanka repeatedly asks what he should give as guru-dakṣiṇā. The teacher directs him to go inside and ask the teacher’s wife, and to bring exactly what she specifies.