Shloka 2
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
नारदो<थाब्रवीदेनं क्व भवान् गन्तुमुद्यत: । स्वेन वा सूत कार्येण शासनाद् वा शतक्रतो:,नारदजीने उनसे पूछा--देवसारथे! तुम कहाँ जानेको उद्यत हुए हो? तुम्हारी यह यात्रा किसी निजी कार्यसे अथवा देवेन्द्रके आदेशसे हुई है?
nārado ’thābravīd enaṃ kva bhavān gantum udyataḥ | svena vā sūta kāryeṇa śāsanād vā śatakratoḥ ||
Lalu Nārada bertanya kepadanya: “Wahai sais para dewa, ke manakah engkau hendak pergi? Adakah perjalanan ini kerana tugas peribadimu sendiri, atau kerana titah Śatakratu (Indra)?”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before acting, one should clarify the source and purpose of one’s action—whether it arises from personal duty (svakārya) or from legitimate authority (śāsana). The verse highlights ethical accountability through examination of intention and authorization.
Nārada encounters a divine charioteer who is about to depart and questions him about his destination and motive, asking whether the journey is for his own task or undertaken under Indra’s command.