Shloka 2
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
परं मन्त्रबलं यत् ते तद् दर्शय यतस्व च । न्यग्रोधमेनं धक्ष्यामि पश्यतस्ते द्विजोत्तम
paraṁ mantrabalaṁ yat te tad darśaya yatasva ca | nyagrodham enaṁ dhakṣyāmi paśyatas te dvijottama ||
Takṣaka berkata: “Perlihatkanlah kekuatan mantra tertinggi yang engkau miliki—kerahkanlah upaya dan tampakkanlah. Di hadapanmu sendiri, wahai yang terbaik antara kaum dwija, akan kubakar pohon beringin ini hingga menjadi abu.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension between spiritual authority (mantra-power, disciplined effort) and aggressive pride. Takṣaka’s taunt frames power as something to be proved through visible results, warning that mere status or claims of spiritual strength can be challenged by raw force unless grounded in true tapas and restraint.
Takṣaka addresses a brahmin (dvijottama), provoking him to demonstrate his mantra-power. Takṣaka then declares that, right before the brahmin’s eyes, he will burn a banyan tree to ashes—setting up a contest-like moment where destructive capability is used to intimidate and test the other’s spiritual efficacy.