Shloka 28
Jaratkāru’s Marital Compact and Departure (जरत्कारु–जरत्कारुणी संवादः)
अमात्यान् सुहृदश्चैव प्रोवाच स नराधिप: । भक्षयन्तु भवन्तो वै स्वादूनीमानि सर्वश:,तदनन्तर उन्हें पारितोषिक देने आदिका कार्य करके कहा--“'अब आपलोग जाय॑।' तपस्वियोंके वेषमें छिपे हुए उन नागोंके चले जानेपर राजाने अपने मन्त्रियों और सुहृदोंसे कहा--'ये सब तपस्वियोंद्वारा लाये हुए बड़े स्वादिष्ठ फल हैं। इन्हें मेरे साथ आपलोग भी खायेँ।” ऐसा कहकर मन्सत्रियोंसहित राजाने उन फलोंको लेनेकी इच्छा की
amātyān suhṛdaś caiva provāca sa narādhipaḥ | bhakṣayantu bhavanto vai svādūnīmāni sarvaśaḥ ||
Então o rei dirigiu-se aos seus ministros e amigos de confiança: “Comei todos estes frutos deliciosos.” No curso da narrativa, o rei—iludido pelas aparências e pela hospitalidade—estende o prazer partilhado ao seu círculo íntimo, escolha que ressalta o risco ético de uma confiança não examinada e a vulnerabilidade dos governantes quando o engano entra na corte.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must practice discernment (viveka) and cautious trust: what appears as a harmless gift or act of hospitality can conceal harm, and careless sharing can spread danger to one’s community.
After the disguised visitors depart, the king calls his ministers and friends and urges them to eat the very tasty fruits brought by the ascetics—setting up the episode’s tension, since the offering is connected with Takṣaka’s deceptive design.