Shloka 36
त॑ ददर्श स नागेन्द्रस्तक्षक: काश्यपं पथि । गच्छन्तमेकमनसं द्विजो भूत्वा वयोडतिग:,मार्गमें नागराज तक्षकने काश्यपको देखा। वे एकचित्त होकर हस्तिनापुरकी ओर बढ़े जा रहे थे। तब नागराजने बूढ़े ब्राह्यणका वेश बनाकर मुनिवर काश्यपसे पूछा--“आप कहाँ बड़ी उतावलीके साथ जा रहे हैं और कौन-सा कार्य करना चाहते हैं?
Taṁ dadarśa sa nāgendras Takṣakaḥ Kāśyapaṁ pathi | gacchantam eka-manasaṁ dvijo bhūtvā vayodati-gaḥ ||
No caminho, o senhor das serpentes Takṣaka avistou Kāśyapa. Kāśyapa seguia para Hastināpura com a mente firme e unívoca. Então Takṣaka, assumindo o disfarce de um brāhmaṇa idoso, aproximou-se do sábio e perguntou: “Para onde se apressa, e que tarefa pretende realizar?”
गौरयुख उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that adharma often advances through disguise and manipulation; therefore, one must cultivate discernment and steadfastness so that a righteous intention is not diverted by deceptive appearances.
Takṣaka encounters the sage Kāśyapa traveling with focused intent and, taking the form of an aged brāhmaṇa, questions him about his destination and purpose—setting up an attempt to interfere with Kāśyapa’s mission.