Shloka 23
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
मया वज्चयितव्योडसौ क उपायो भवेदिति । ततस्तापसरूपेण प्राहिणोत् स भुजड़मान्
mayā vañcayitavyo 'sau ka upāyo bhaved iti | tatas tāpasarūpeṇa prāhiṇot sa bhujaṅgamān ||
Takṣaka berfikir, “Aku mesti memperdayakannya—apakah cara yang dapat melaksanakannya?” Lalu, dengan menyamar sebagai pertapa, dia mengutus makhluk-makhluk ular itu untuk menjalankan rancangannya.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds intention (saṅkalpa) and method (upāya): choosing deception and disguise to achieve one’s end carries ethical consequences, marking a shift toward adharma-driven action where appearance is used to mask harmful intent.
Takṣaka resolves to trick his target and considers what strategy will work. He then adopts the appearance of an ascetic and sends serpent agents (bhujaṅgamas) to execute his plan.