Shloka 25
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
बहून्यद्धुतरूपाणि द्रष्टव्यानीह मातले | तव कार्यावरो धस्तु तस्माद् गच्छाव मा चिरम्,मातले! इस वरुणलोकमें देखनेयोग्य बहुत-सी अद्भुत वस्तुएँ हैं; परंतु सबको देखनेसे तुम्हारे कार्यमें रुकावट पड़ेगी, इसलिये हमलोग शीघ्र ही यहाँसे नागलोकमें चलें
bahūny adbhutarūpāṇi draṣṭavyānīha mātale | tava kāryāvarodhas tu tasmād gacchāva mā ciram, mātale ||
Kaṇva berkata: “Wahai Mātali, di alam Varuṇa ini terdapat banyak pemandangan menakjubkan yang patut disaksikan. Namun jika kita berlengah untuk melihat semuanya, tugasmu akan terhalang; maka marilah kita berangkat tanpa berlengah, wahai Mātali, dan meneruskan perjalanan ke alam Nāga.”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when surrounded by extraordinary attractions, one should not let curiosity or pleasure delay one’s assigned duty; timely action in accordance with purpose is a form of dharma.
Kaṇva addresses Mātali during an otherworldly journey: although Varuṇa’s realm contains many marvels, Kaṇva urges immediate departure so that Mātali’s mission is not hindered, and they proceed toward the Nāga-world.