Shloka 21
शृङ्गिशापः—तक्षककाश्यपसंवादः (Śṛṅgī’s Curse and the Takṣaka–Kāśyapa Dialogue)
तत्र तां भैक्ष्यवत् कन्यां प्रादात् तस्मै महात्मने । नागेन्द्रो वासुकिर्ब्रह्मनू न स तां प्रत्यगृह्लत,ब्रह्मन! वहाँ नागेन्द्र वासुकिने महात्मा जरत्कारुको भिक्षाकी भाँति वह कन्या समर्पित की; किंतु उन्होंने सहसा उसे स्वीकार नहीं किया
tatra tāṁ bhaikṣyavat kanyāṁ prādāt tasmai mahātmane | nāgendro vāsukir brahman na sa tāṁ pratyagṛhṇāt ||
Thereupon, O Brāhmaṇa, the lord of serpents Vāsuki offered that maiden to the noble Jaratkāru as though she were alms given to a mendicant. Yet Jaratkāru did not at once accept her—signaling his careful adherence to the conditions of dharma and propriety in marriage rather than a hasty consent.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and dharmic caution: even when a socially significant offer is made, one should not accept impulsively but ensure that the act aligns with one’s vows, conditions, and ethical propriety.
In the account narrated by Takṣaka, Vāsuki offers a maiden to the sage Jaratkāru in a manner likened to giving alms; however, Jaratkāru does not immediately accept her, reflecting his insistence on proper terms and dharmic correctness before marriage.