Shloka 3
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
वायुकिरुवाच जानासि भद्रे यत् कार्य प्रदाने कारणं च यत् । पन्नगानां हितार्थाय पुत्रस्ते स्थात् ततो यदि,वासुकिने कहा--भद्रे! सर्पोंका जो महान् कार्य है और मुनिके साथ तुम्हारा विवाह होनेमें जो उद्देश्य रहा है, उसे तो तुम जानती ही हो। यदि उनके द्वारा तुम्हारे गर्भसे कोई पुत्र उत्पन्न हो जाता तो उससे सर्पोंका बहुत बड़ा हित होता
Vāyukir uvāca: jānāsi bhadre yat kāryaṃ pradāne kāraṇaṃ ca yat | pannagānāṃ hitārthāya putras te sthāt tato yadi ||
Vāyuki disse: “Ó nobre senhora, já conheces o propósito desta grande empresa e a razão de te terem dado em casamento. Se dessa união nascesse de teu ventre um filho, grande benefício adviria para a raça das serpentes.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharma-inflected political ethic: personal marriage and progeny are framed as instruments for the welfare of a larger community (the nāgas). It reflects how lineage and alliances are treated as purposeful duties rather than merely private choices.
Vāyuki addresses a woman involved in a planned marriage, reminding her that she already knows the motive behind the arrangement. He states that if a son is born from her, it would greatly benefit the serpent race, implying the union is intended to secure a strategic heir.