Shloka 12
अपरे त्वब्रुवन् नागास्तत्र पण्डितमानिन: । मन्त्रिणोउस्य वयं सर्वे भविष्याम: सुसम्मता:,अपनेको बड़ा भारी पण्डित माननेवाले दूसरे नागोंने कहा--'हम सब लोग जनमेजयके विश्वासपात्र मन्त्री बन जायँगे
apare tv abruvan nāgās tatra paṇḍita-māninaḥ | mantriṇo 'sya vayaṁ sarve bhaviṣyāmaḥ susammatāḥ ||
Then other nāgas, proud of their own learning, declared there: “All of us will become his trusted counsellors, fully approved and well-regarded.” The verse highlights a calculated strategy—seeking influence through proximity to power—while also hinting at the ethical risk of self-conceit and political manipulation.
शेष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions against paṇḍita-māna (self-conceit in learning) and shows how ambition can seek legitimacy by becoming “trusted advisers.” It implicitly raises an ethical question: counsel should be grounded in dharma and sincerity, not in pride or covert agendas.
A faction of nāgas proposes a political tactic: to gain access and influence by becoming the king’s approved ministers. This is presented as a deliberate plan formed in their assembly, setting up later consequences in the surrounding episode.