Shloka 157
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
स तथेत्युक्त्वा तमश्वमधिरुह्य प्रत्याजगामोपाध्यायकुलमुपाध्यायानी च स्नाता केशानावापयन्त्युपविष्टोत्तड़को नागच्छतीति शापायास्य मनो दथे,“बहुत अच्छा” कहकर उत्तंक उस घोड़ेपर चढ़े और तुरंत उपाध्यायके घर आ पहुँचे। इधर गुरुपत्नी स्नान करके बैठी हुई अपने केश सँवार रही थीं। “उत्तंक अबतक नहीं आया'--यह सोचकर उन्होंने शिष्यको शाप देनेका विचार कर लिया
sa tathety uktvā tam aśvam adhiruhya pratyājagāmopādhyāyakulam; upādhyāyānī ca snātā keśān āvāpayanty upaviṣṭottanko nāgacchatīti śāpāyāsya mano dadhe.
Dizendo “Assim seja”, Uttanka montou aquele cavalo e, de imediato, retornou à casa do seu mestre. Enquanto isso, a esposa do mestre, após banhar-se, sentou-se e começou a arrumar os cabelos. Pensando: “Uttanka ainda não chegou”, inclinou o coração a amaldiçoar o discípulo.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how dharma in a teacher’s household depends on timely fulfillment of duty and, equally, on restraint: impatience and anger—especially when backed by spiritual authority—can lead to disproportionate harm through a curse.
Uttanka agrees, mounts a horse, and quickly returns to his teacher’s home. The teacher’s wife, after bathing and grooming, notices his continued absence and, believing he has delayed, forms the intention to curse him.