Shloka 5
नागभायावाच आर्जवेन विजानामि नासौ देवोडनिलाशन । एकं तस्मिन् विजानामि भक्तिमानतिरोषण,नागपत्नी बोली--अत्यन्त क्रोधी स्वभाववाले वायुभोजी नागराज! उन ब्राह्मणकी सरलतासे तो मैं यही समझती हूँ कि वे देवता नहीं हैं। मुझे उनमें एक बहुत बड़ी विशेषता यह जान पड़ी है कि वे आपके भक्त हैं
Nāgabhāryovāca— ārjavena vijānāmi nāsau devo 'nilāśana; ekaṃ tasmin vijānāmi bhaktimān atiroṣaṇa.
ನಾಗಪತ್ನಿ ಹೇಳಿದಳು—ಹೇ ವಾಯುಭೋಜೀ, ಅತಿಕ್ರೋಧಸ್ವಭಾವದ ನಾಗರಾಜನೇ! ಅವನ ಸರಳತೆಯಿಂದ ಅವನು ದೇವನಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ನಾನು ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಆದರೆ ಅವನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಮಹತ್ತರ ಗುಣವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕಂಡೆ—ಅವನು ನಿನ್ನ ಭಕ್ತನು.
नाग उवाच
Educational Q&A
True character can be discerned from simplicity and sincerity, and devotion (bhakti) is recognized as a significant virtue even when directed toward someone known for anger; the verse implicitly contrasts divine display with human straightforwardness and highlights the ethical value of devotion and self-awareness about wrath.
The Nāga’s wife addresses the Nāga king (called ‘Anilāśana’) and judges that the brāhmaṇa before them is not a god, basing her conclusion on his plain, honest demeanor; nevertheless, she notes an important trait—his devotion to the Nāga king despite the king’s fierce temper.