Shloka 186
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 3 — Janamejaya’s Rite, Dhaumya’s Parīkṣā, and Uttanka’s Kuṇḍala Quest (सर्पसत्रप्रस्तावना–गुरुपरीक्षा–उत्तङ्कोपाख्यान)
सौतिर्वाच एतच्छुत्वा तु नृपतिस्तक्षकाय चुकोप ह । उत्तड़कवाक्यहविषा दीप्तोडग्नि्हविषा यथा,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--महर्षियो! यह समाचार सुनकर राजा जनमेजय तक्षकपर कुपित हो उठे। उत्तंकके वाक्यने उनकी क्रोधाग्निमें घीका काम किया। जैसे घीकी आहुति पड़नेसे अग्नि प्रजजलित हो उठती है, उसी प्रकार वे क्रोधसे अत्यन्त कुपित हो गये
Sautir uvāca—etac chrutvā tu nṛpatis Takṣakāya cukopa ha | Uttaṅkavākya-haviṣā dīpto ’gnir haviṣā yathā ||
Sauti disse: “Ó sábios, ao ouvir esse relato, o rei Janamejaya inflamou-se de ira contra Takṣaka. As palavras de Uttanka foram como uma oblação de ghee derramada no fogo: assim como tal oferta faz a chama erguer-se mais alta, do mesmo modo a cólera do rei se acendeu ainda mais.”
उत्तड़क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech can intensify destructive emotions: a provocative report, even if true, can function like ghee poured on fire, escalating anger into action. Ethically, it warns that rulers must govern their passions, because unchecked wrath readily turns into retaliatory violence.
Sauti narrates that after hearing Uttaṅka’s account, King Janamejaya becomes furious at Takṣaka. The simile of ghee offered into fire conveys that Uttaṅka’s words further inflame the king’s anger, setting the stage for Janamejaya’s resolve to punish Takṣaka (leading toward the serpent-sacrifice episode).