Shloka 31
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
ततो भक्षयतस्तस्य फलात् कृमिरभूदणु: । हस्वक: कृष्णनयनस्ताम्रवर्णोडथ शौनक,शौनकजी! खाते समय राजाके हाथमें जो फल था, उससे एक छोटा-सा कीट प्रकट हुआ। देखनेमें वह अत्यन्त लघु था, उसकी आँखें काली और शरीरका रंग ताँबेके समान था
tato bhakṣayatas tasya phalāt krimir abhūd aṇuḥ | hrasvakaḥ kṛṣṇanayanas tāmravarṇo ’tha śaunaka ||
Kemudian, ketika baginda sedang makan, daripada buah di tangannya muncul seekor ulat yang amat halus. Ia kecil sekali, bermata hitam, dan tubuhnya berwarna tembaga—demikianlah kelihatan, wahai Śaunaka. Peristiwa ini menegaskan bahawa agen takdir yang tersembunyi boleh bergerak melalui benda yang tampak biasa, dan bahawa mudarat boleh datang secara halus dan terselindung apabila sumpahan atau niat jahat sedang berkuasa.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that consequences driven by curse, karma, or hostile intent may manifest through subtle and unexpected means; what appears harmless (a fruit) can conceal the instrument of harm, reminding one to be vigilant and ethically mindful about causes set in motion.
As the person is eating the fruit, a tiny worm suddenly emerges from it—described with black eyes and a copper-colored body—marking the appearance of a concealed agent that will play a role in the unfolding danger being narrated to Śaunaka.