Shloka 56
Trita in the Well (Udapāna-kathā) — Balarāma’s Tīrtha Observances
तव शुश्रूषणे युक्ता वत्स्यामो हि तवान्तिके । सोमो वसति नास्मासु नाकरोद् वचनं तव
tava śuśrūṣaṇe yuktā vatsyāmo hi tavāntike | somo vasati nāsmāsu nākarod vacanaṃ tava ||
“ನಿಮ್ಮ ಶುಶ್ರೂಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಯುಕ್ತರಾಗಿ ನಾವು ನಿಶ್ಚಯವಾಗಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲೇ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಸೋಮ (ಚಂದ್ರ) ನಮ್ಮೊಡನೆ ವಾಸಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಅವನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ವಚನವನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of śuśrūṣā (devoted service) and obedience to rightful instruction: the speakers affirm their duty to remain near and serve, while noting Soma’s failure to follow the command, implying a contrast between dutiful compliance and disregard.
A group (implied by the plural verbs) declares to their father/authority figure that they will stay close and serve him; they report that Soma (the Moon) does not stay with them and did not carry out the instruction given to him.